Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan won't be stripped of their medals because of war crime allegations facing some special forces soldiers, defence minister Peter Dutton has announced.
Defence Force chief Angus Campbell recommended Meritorious Unit Citations be taken from three thousand soldiers from Special Operations Task Groups that served in Afghanistan from April 2007 to December 2013.
Described as 'collective responsibility' by Mr Campbell, the move was originally recommended by Justice Paul Brereton whose report alleged 39 murders were perpetrated by Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan over eleven years.
However, Mr Dutton has announced only people convicted of war crimes or stood down for misconduct will have the service medal taken off them.