'Time' Allegations Wrong

The Hon. John Moore, MP Minister for Defence

"Time" magazine has today published an article about disciplinary proceedings against soldiers from 3RAR at Holsworthy in Sydney.

The article contains allegations that as Minister for Defence, I had meetings and discussions with General Peter Cosgrove about those proceedings, and that I had issued "direction" about how Army should manage the matter.

These allegations are wrong and without foundation.

The statement in the article - that General Cosgrove and I "have tried to ride the affair to a quick conclusion" - is also completely baseless.

The Government does not condone any action that circumvents the proper administration of the Defence Force Discipline Act, and this especially applies to the abuse of authority and use of intimidation within the Defence Force.

The Minister responsible for Defence personnel, Bruce Scott, has advised me that legal action in this matter is continuing, and that charges levelled at individuals serving with 3RAR were being properly processed, prior to the investigation by "Time" magazine.

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