Defence officials call for ‘deep reform’ to counter perceptions of inaction on Brereton inquiry

Chief of the ADF, General Angus Campbell at the time of the release of the Brereton report in 2020. He said there were “officers in command roles in the special operations task group … who had a responsibility to deal with issues and to completely and openly report” on incidents. Photograph: Mick Tasikas/AAP

Australian military commanders have not been “absolved” of their share of responsibility over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, despite a controversial decision under the former government to suspend punishment.

Defence officials are anxious to confront any perception they are failing to act on the cultural failings exposed by the Brereton inquiry, according to new documents obtained by Guardian Australia.