Bill introduced to heighten scrutiny on ADF deployment

The War Powers Reform Bill would require both the House of Representatives and the Senate to approve future overseas engagements.

The proposed reforms would also seek to increase transparency, requiring the ADF to provide regular updates to Parliament regarding the necessity of foreign deployment and the actions of personnel.

According to the Greens, the bill would align Australia’s framework laws with the likes of Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.

The bill’s introduction comes amid controversy over the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan and the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes outlined in the Brereton report.

“The Australian Greens are bringing forward this reform at a vital time,” Australian Greens spokesperson for peace and nuclear disarmament senator Jordon Steele-John said.

“A time where Australians are watching the humanitarian disaster unfold in Afghanistan with deep sadness.

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“At the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan we must immediately begin to assess and evaluate how it came to this. Australia's involvement in this disaster is a direct result of the way in which Australia went to war in the first place — without mission clarity, an identifiable enemy, and minimal accountability back to the Parliament.”

Senator Steele-John was critical of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s “unilateral” decisions to send ADF troops to support US engagements in the Middle East.

“There has been no opportunity for community scrutiny, these conflicts have had unclear goals, minimal accountability, and there has been little guarantee that returning veterans will receive the support they need,” the senator added.

He lamented the perceived lack of transparency and accountability in the ADF, which he claimed has contributed to an “appalling and shameful culture” evidenced by the alleged war crimes perpetrated by a small group of soldiers.

“War crimes must never happen again, and the culture within the ADF must be turned around,” Senator Steele-John said.

“The Australian Greens War Powers Reform Act will ensure that Parliament is able to scrutinise the objectives of a conflict and ensure the ADF is more accountable to Parliament; both will contribute to an urgently needed change of culture within the ADF. 

“It is The Greens view that we must never again participate in a colonial war of aggression. Our goal must always be peace.”

ADF members and their families can contact the Defence All-hours Support Line, a confidential telephone service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1800 628 036. Defence families can also contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

Safe Zone Support (1800 142 072) is also available as a free and anonymous counselling line for current and former ADF personnel and their families. The service is available 24/7 and provides access to specialised counsellors with an understanding of military culture and experience. 

Defence personnel, veterans and their families can also access free and confidential counselling 24/7 through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service (1800 011 046) or online at www.openarms.gov.au.

[Related: Australia withdraws troops from Afghanistan, ends evacuation flights]

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.