And it sounds remarkably like the UK situation with regard to Iraq - the IHAT witchhunt - where it became obvious that the ambulance chasers were actually paying locals to provide "testimony" as to the "atrocities" committed by British forces. That resulted in ruined reputations and careers, and some suicides; and after many years of angst to I think two convictions out of the hundreds or possibly thousands who were originally put under scrutiny. And that of the left wing press, including the BBC, was brutal. As an aside, if you want to raise your blood pressure, read the wikipedia article about IHAT and note the alleged comments of the copper who is supposedly (in substance) said "we know they were guilty", or go back and read the self serving leader articles that were published at the time the real story came out.....
I wonder if the recently announced Royal Commission into suicides in the ADF will look at in what way (if any, to be fair) Government, Opposition or Press statements or articles have contributed to Veteran suicides. Somehow, I doubt it.
As I think (and hope) I said at the time, can't remember, must be senility, the Inquiry described a number of alleged incidents with varying degrees of evidence to support them; and with a burden of proof that was nowhere near "beyond reasonable" doubt. That is the function of courts to determine if and when are any actual charges are laid. Until such time as the courts convict somebody, if they do, everybody is entitled to the presumption of innocence. And, WRT the commendation, group punishment (which is what the withdrawal was, effectively) is not legal either in Australian law generally or in the Defence Force Discipline Act in particular.
I wonder if the recently announced Royal Commission into suicides in the ADF will look at in what way (if any, to be fair) Government, Opposition or Press statements or articles have contributed to Veteran suicides. Somehow, I doubt it.
As I think (and hope) I said at the time, can't remember, must be senility, the Inquiry described a number of alleged incidents with varying degrees of evidence to support them; and with a burden of proof that was nowhere near "beyond reasonable" doubt. That is the function of courts to determine if and when are any actual charges are laid. Until such time as the courts convict somebody, if they do, everybody is entitled to the presumption of innocence. And, WRT the commendation, group punishment (which is what the withdrawal was, effectively) is not legal either in Australian law generally or in the Defence Force Discipline Act in particular.
