Betrayal of the Frontline: Veterans Condemn Medal Stripping and Brereton Report

The federal government’s controversial decision to strip commanding officers of their medals over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan has sparked fierce backlash, with at least one officer formally challenging the move. This latest challenge, now being processed within the Defence Department, has further delayed an already drawn-out process that has been met with widespread anger from veterans.

Defence Minister Richard Marles announced in September that a number of current and former officers would have their distinguished service medals revoked. However, he refused to disclose the exact number, stating only that it was fewer than ten. Now, with at least one officer contesting the decision, the process has been further prolonged by at least four months.

A spokesperson for Mr. Marles confirmed last week that the honour roll will only be updated once the appeal process is complete, stating:

“Certain honours and awards attract additional processes and procedural fairness arrangements that must be followed. Any decision to cancel an honour or award after that process concludes will be reflected on the honour roll.”

While not all affected commanders have publicly challenged the decision, veterans and former service members have overwhelmingly condemned the process, arguing that the Brereton Report does not reflect the realities of combat.

The inquiry, led by Major General Paul Brereton, claimed to have found “credible information” that war crimes were committed by Australian soldiers between 2005 and 2016. However, Brereton also acknowledged that there was no evidence that commanding officers or higher-ranking officials were aware of these alleged crimes. Despite this, his report recommended stripping medals from those in leadership positions, particularly within the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), for fostering what he termed a “warrior culture.”

Veterans argue that these findings unfairly punish officers who were not directly involved in any wrongdoing and that the recommendations fail to acknowledge the complexities of war. Many believe the report was politically motivated and out of touch with frontline realities.

General Angus Campbell, the Chief of the Defence Force, has been at the centre of the controversy, with veterans openly expressing their distrust in his leadership. During a recent parliamentary hearing, former soldiers labelled Campbell a “traitor” for what they see as his betrayal of Afghanistan veterans and accused him of allowing the Brereton Report to tarnish the reputations of those who served.

The hearing also revealed growing frustration within the veteran community over how military honours and awards are handled, with calls for a complete overhaul of the system.

Adding to the secrecy of the process, the government has indicated that the names of some officers who have had their decorations revoked may never be made public, as many were originally awarded under pseudonyms to protect their identities.

The decision to strip medals ultimately rests with Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who acts on the advice of the Defence Minister. However, her office has remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment until the process is finalised.

Veterans and their supporters remain deeply disillusioned with the handling of the Brereton Report’s fallout. They argue that the government’s actions have not only damaged morale but also smeared the legacy of those who served with distinction. For many, the stripping of medals is not a pursuit of justice, but an act of political scapegoating that fails to respect the sacrifices made by Australia’s frontline soldiers.