Australia has stripped senior military commanders of their distinguished service medals following allegations of war crimes committed under their command during the Afghanistan conflict. In a parliamentary address on Thursday, Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the move reflects Australia’s commitment to accountability and justice, calling the allegations “a national shame.”
The decision stems from the findings of the Brereton Report, a landmark inquiry released in 2020, which uncovered credible evidence that elite Australian soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the war in Afghanistan. The inquiry also exposed a “warrior culture” within certain sections of the military that went unchecked.
While Defence Minister Marles refrained from disclosing the exact number of officers impacted, local media suggests fewer than ten commanders are affected. Marles praised the majority of Australian Defence personnel for their “sacred service” during the conflict, but made it clear that those under whose command the atrocities took place could not, in good conscience, retain their honors.
This decision does not impact soldiers currently under investigation for war crimes, including Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, who was found liable in a civil defamation case last year for the unlawful killing of four unarmed prisoners. Despite the ruling, Roberts-Smith has not faced criminal charges.
Former justice Paul Brereton, who led the inquiry, clarified that while there was no evidence senior officers were aware of the war crimes, they still bear “moral command responsibility and accountability” for the actions of their troops.
The issue of command accountability has ignited a debate among veterans. While some argue that punishing officers for the actions of others is unfair, a recent government-commissioned report revealed widespread anger that senior commanders have not publicly taken responsibility for the environment that enabled the misconduct.
Opposition defence spokesman and former SAS soldier Andrew Hastie acknowledged the deep wounds caused by the scandal, stating, “Our soldiers must tell the truth, and those in leadership must seek it out.” Hastie stressed the importance of learning from this painful chapter in Australia’s military history to prevent future misconduct.
As investigations continue, the decision to revoke military honors marks a significant step in Australia’s reckoning with its military’s actions during the Afghanistan war.