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Aus Def Min overturns special forces medal ban
By IANS |
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Peter Dutton.. Image Source: IANS News
Canberra, April 19 : Australia s Defence Minister Peter Dutton on Monday pulled rank and intervened to ensure that soldiers who served in Afghanistan were not stripped of service medals over war crime allegations.
Dutton announced he would overrule Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell s decision to strip more than 3,000 special forces soldiers who served in Afghanistan of their Meritorious Citation Unit (MCU), reports Xinhua news agency.
Campbell made the unprecedented decision as a collective punishment for 39 murders allegedly committed by Australian special forces troops in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016.
2021-04-19 03:05:50 GMT2021-04-19 11:05:50(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) Australia s Defence Minister Peter Dutton has pulled rank and intervened to ensure that soldiers who served in Afghanistan are not stripped of service medals over war crime allegations.
Dutton on Monday announced he would overrule Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell s decision to strip more than 3,000 special forces soldiers who served in Afghanistan of their Meritorious Citation Unit (MCU).
Campbell made the unprecedented decision as a collective punishment for 39 murders allegedly committed by Australian special forces troops in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016.
Dutton s decision means that soldiers affected will retain their citations unless they are found guilty of war crimes or are dismissed from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as an accessory to a war crime or for failing to uphold army standards.
Veteransâ suicide royal commission to shine spotlight on Defence Force
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A royal commission into veteransâ suicide will shine an uncomfortable spotlight on the Defence Force, looking at how personnel are recruited, their training and service, and support for transitioning back into civilian life.
After months of resistance, Prime Minister Scott Morrison bowed to pressure from veterans and their families to announce the establishment of a royal commission, just days after announcing the withdrawal of Australiaâs final 80 troops in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing the royal commission into veteransâ suicide on Monday.Â
Brook Mitchell
Releasing draft terms of reference, Mr Morrison flagged that up to three commissioners could be appointed for an inquiry that could take up to two years.
Jab, one-two GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT
National cabinet will hold its first biweekly meeting today to discuss Australia’s failed COVID-19 vaccine rollout, with the ABC noting that mass vaccination centres will be discussed and
Scott Morrison is facing resistance from states with regards to his push for a home quarantine system.
Yesterday, New South Wales recorded three locally acquired cases, after a family was found to have become infected while staying in hotel quarantine. Meanwhile, Victoria announced it will lift the pause on AstraZeneca for those both under and over 50 now that issues around training and liability have now been resolved and open three mass-vaccination hubs on Wednesday.