Key Points
- The Defence Minister has stripped medals from Australian commanders, following an inquiry into war crimes in Afghanistan.
- Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has raised concerns about the mental health impacts on veterans.
- Advocacy groups have criticised the Defence Minister's call, labelling him "woke".
Jacquie Lambie has accused the government of being "insensitive", as it handed down its decision to strip the war medals of Australian commanders.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has who served in the Afghan war, following the Brereton war crimes inquiry.
The exact number and rank of those losing their war medals is being kept secret, with the government saying it is complying with privacy laws.
The Tasmanian senator labelled the timing of Thursday's decision, which comes two days after the , as "absolutely atrocious".
"I am terribly worried about the mental health of our veterans out there because I can assure you from somebody that has worn that uniform when it comes to the Commandos and our SAS (Special Air Service), they are very highly respected in uniform," she told SBS News.
"Not only these guys had a kick in the guts going through this royal commission and sharing their stories for the last three years, now they're watching their mates still being thrown under that bus and none of those commanding officers going to jail. That's what I'm worried about."
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, made public on Monday, delivered 122 recommendations to address institutional drivers within Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs that contribute to a "persistently high" rate of suicide and suicidality.
Responding to Lambie's criticism, Marles recognised the royal commission would have a massive impact but stressed it was a separate matter.
"We do acknowledge that for a number of those people who have been involved specifically in the periods of time that the Brereton report covers, there will be issues there as well," he said.
"And we again are providing the appropriate supports but it matters that both of these are done."
The action does not apply to soldiers who have been directly accused of war crimes, rather it targets those in the chain of command at troop, squadron and task group level.
There are separate criminal investigations being conducted into direct allegations of war crimes.
Marles decided to revoke the honours as he moved to finalise the government's response to the explosive findings of the .
The Brereton report had made 143 recommendations, and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government has now dealt with 139 and four remain on hold. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
"The allegations which are the subject of the Brereton Report are arguably the most serious allegations of Australian war crimes in our history," Marles said in parliament.
"This will always be a matter of national shame."
Group condemns Marles' decision as 'woke' and 'disgraceful'
In the hours following the announcement, several groups also criticised Marles' decision to remove honorifics from Australian soldiers.
The Australian Special Air Service Association (ASASA) has revealed the defence minister went against its advice, as it advocated for no honorifics to be removed until "the truth has been established in a due process in court".
Speaking on behalf of SAS veterans, ASASA national chairman Martin Hamilton-Smith said at a time when mistreatment of veterans was in the spotlight, Marles was sending a "disgraceful" message to those who fought in Afghanistan.
"This appears to be the first time in the history of ANZAC that an Australian Government has so betrayed the courage and sacrifice of the men they sent to fight and die in our country’s name," Hamliton-Smith said in a statement.
"This is the act of a woke minister unfit to continue serving in the Defence Portfolio. Instead of fixing the ADF's (Australian Defence Force) many problems and our future challenges he is denigrating ANZACs about the last war."
Similarly, the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) called for medals not to be taken away until the conclusion of all investigations.
"The RSL is aware of the significant strain this matter has placed on veterans, even those not involved in alleged incidents," RSL Australia president Greg Melick said.
"Australian Defence Force personnel serve in a unique and highly challenging environment, and the allegations and the outcomes of the Brereton Report have caused considerable distress and mental health concerns."
ADF members and their families can call the Defence all-hours Support Line, a confidential telephone and online service, on 1800 628 036.
Open Arms provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families on 1800 011 046.
Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families can also contact national support services provider Soldier On during office hours 1300 620 380.
