Senate Inquiry hearing on Friday

ED: From my inbox – a Facebook Post

After the all-day Senate Inquiry hearing on Friday: Senator Roberts said: “There needs to be root and branch reform of the honours and awards system.”

“It’s very clear that there has been a two-tier system when it comes to medals. Senior Officers get awards like it’s part of their salary package and the enlisted ranks are lucky if their nominations aren’t just shoved in a drawer and forgotten.”

“The integrity of the Distinguished Service Crosses awarded to multiple leaders of forces in the Middle East is under a dark cloud. It has become clear that senior leaders of Defence, including the current Chief, over at least a decade have abused the definition of ‘in action’ to claim awards that were meant to be reserved for soldiers under direct fire of an adversary.”

“How can Angus Campbell claim a Distinguished Service Cross for command of soldiers which he has tried to strip a DSC from for allegations of wrongdoing?”

“The only recognition some soldiers have of their sacrifice and service is a medal. When the system that administers medals is broken, that destroys morale and is a direct contributor to the military recruitment and retention crisis.”

“The inquiry heard heroic stories of soldiers in direct machine gun and grenade fire having their nominations simply forgotten, downgraded without their knowledge or manipulated. This cannot be allowed to happen”

“A fully transparent process must be implemented. It’s clear that the Defence hierarchy cannot be trusted to be impartial and objective when it comes to giving our Defence personnel the recognition they deserve.”