Statement on the closure of the Afghanistan Inquiry Report

Summary of the Ministers speech in parliament:

In 2016, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commissioned an inquiry led by Major General Paul Brereton into serious misconduct by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2016. The resulting Brereton Report, based on 510 interviews and 60,000 pages of evidence, found credible information of unlawful conduct, including 23 incidents of alleged killings involving 25 ADF personnel, and a sub-culture of elitism.

The report made 143 recommendations, which Defence accepted and has worked to implement through the Afghanistan Inquiry Reform Program (AIRP). This program addressed leadership, ethics, accountability, and cultural reforms to prevent future misconduct. The government has now closed 139 recommendations, with four still pending further investigation by the Office of the Special Investigator.

The speech highlights the importance of the inquiry in holding Australia accountable for war crimes, acknowledging the courage of those who provided testimony. It also emphasizes the ongoing commitment to reform the ADF’s culture and maintain accountability, while paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of Australian personnel in Afghanistan.

If you wish to read the full speech, click on the Link  Statement on the closure of the Afghanistan Inquiry Report | Defence Ministers