Full Report Needed On Allegations Against The SAS Chris Evans - Shadow Minister for Defence

Media Statement - 16 April 2003

The Government must provide a full report on the investigation into allegations against the SAS in East Timor, the findings of which were announced today.

Labor welcomes the conclusion of the investigation, and the announcement that one prosecution will proceed.

However, without publication of a much more detailed report on the outcome of the investigation, the public will not be reassured and the allegations will continue to resurface.

Army's confirmation that other allegations were substantiated begs more questions than it answers.

The community and the ADF deserves more than today's summary of the findings and an assurance that procedures will be amended.

The Government has never issued a full statement on the allegations it was investigating. Today there was no detailed account of the findings against each of those allegations.

Previous media reports on this issue raised very serious allegations, including war crimes, against defence personnel. By failing to rebut those allegations in detail today's report fails to provide the public exoneration these ADF personnel cleared of any wrongdoing deserve.

The Minister must provide a comprehensive report on the allegations made, the findings of the investigation and the detail of what changes to procedures have been recommended.

The ADF can be justifiably proud of its contribution to the stabilisation and rebuilding of East Timor.

Two years ago the Government agreed to establish the office of Director of Military Prosecution (DMP), which would ensure allegations against Defence personnel are quickly and independently investigated and resolved. To date the Government has not bothered to introduce the legislation necessary for the DMP.

This has left our service men and women exposed to the possibility of having allegations made against them being left unanswered for years.

The Government should immediately commit to providing a full report into the findings of the investigation and announce when it will be appointing the ADF's first Director of Military Prosecution.