Date: 12/02/16
Page: 1
Transcript
Station:
CANBERRA CONFERENCE UNIT
Date:
16/08/2000
Program:
DOORSTOP INTERVIEW
Time:
11:50 AM
Summary ID:
C00001888536
Compere:
Item:
VETERANS' AFFAIRS MINISTER BRUCE SCOTT SAYS LEGAL ACTION IN
THE CASE OF 3RAR AT HOLSWORTHY IS CONTINUING AND CHARGES
ARE BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH ACCORDING TO PROPER MILITARY
PROCESSES. THE MINISTER REJECTS CLAIMS IN TIME MAGAZINE THAT
THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO COVER ANYTHING UP.
INTERVIEW: BRUCE SCOTT, VETERANS' AFFAIRS MINISTER
Male 18+
Demographic
s:
N/A
BRUCE SCOTT:
Female 18+
All people
Abs
GBs
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Well thank you very much for coming here this morning.
Firstly, can I make it quite clear that neither the Government or the
Defence Force condone violence or bullying within the ranks of the
Australian Defence Force, and secondly, in relation to the bashings at
Holsworthy there was an investigation conducted, charges were laid, and
the procedures of that process within the Military Forces Discipline Act
were delayed because of the deployment to East Timor.
In July of this year they recommenced, but because of a technicality have
been further delayed, but let me assure you that those processes will
continue.
In relation to the article which suggests that there was a discussion in
relation to the Holsworthy disciplinary processes between Minister
Moore and General Cosgrove, I have spoken with both of those people
and that discussion did not occur.
QUESTION:
Why was the trial aborted?
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Page: 2
BRUCE SCOTT:
There was a technicality that was identified as part of the process in July
when the processes recommenced and now they will go back to the
commanding officer with these charges.
QUESTION:
And there was no interference by Minister Moore?
interference by ….
BRUCE SCOTT:
I have spoken with Minister Moore, I have spoken with General
Cosgrove, and both people have said that this issue was not discussed by
them.
QUESTION:
What was the nature of the technicality?
BRUCE SCOTT:
The technicality is that the charges should be referred to the commanding
officer and that’s why it is now going back to the commanding officer.
This is a legal technicality that is part of the process that must be
followed within the Military Forces Discipline Act.
QUESTION:
How many members of the 3rd have been charged?
BRUCE SCOTT:
Look, that’s a matter for the military but I can assure you, let me assure
you, that the processes will be followed that the discipline Act is there to
ensure fairness within the Military disciplinary processes.
QUESTION:
Your office has confirmed that six soldiers have been charged. The
allegation was that fourteen were under investigation. What’s happened
to the balance?
BRUCE SCOTT:
That’s one for the military that you should ask them because this is part
of the military disciplinary processes.
QUESTION:
They’re not talking.
QUESTION:
You’re put out here as the Minister responsible. What’s happened to the
balance …
BRUCE SCOTT:
That is a question that you should put to the military because ….
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There was no
Page: 3
QUESTION:
But I mean you’ve been put up by the Minister, by the Government, and
the Army’s not putting anyone up …
BRUCE SCOTT:
No, I understand General Cosgrove will be talking…
QUESTION:
Okay, but do you know what’s happened to the balance of them? Were
they charged or ..?
BRUCE SCOTT:
That is not appropriate for the Minister to intercede in military
disciplinary processes.
QUESTION:
But it’s a matter of knowledge. Do you know what happened to the
balance of them?
BRUCE SCOTT:
It is not appropriate for the ministers to intercede in the processes of the
military disciplinary process and it’s a question that you should put to
General Cosgrove.
QUESTION:
Are you fully informed of what’s actually gone on?
BRUCE SCOTT:
We’ve been kept informed as appropriate in relation to the military
disciplinary processes.
QUESTION:
Why can’t you just, why can’t you elaborate …
BRUCE SCOTT:
As I’ve said, you should put that to General Cosgrove who’s going to be
making a statement and talking to the press today.
QUESTION:
Why wasn’t this referred to the Military Justice Committee of
Parliament?
BRUCE SCOTT:
There was a committee that was established by this government to look
into the military disciplinary processes. It was a right and proper thing
for this government to do, and what it was looking at was the processes
of the military justice system. It was not appropriate for them to look
into cases that were being, under consideration, and the process of that
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Page: 4
committee is one that was right and proper on the terms that was given to
it by this government.
QUESTION:
Minister, is this merely a problem of military discipline or are you
dealing with a much broader problem than military culture?
BRUCE SCOTT:
This, this, the military discipline is and does require good leadership and
I’m confident that the procedures will be followed and I’m confident of
our military leadership in this country.
QUESTION:
Has there been a cover up?
BRUCE SCOTT:
No.
QUESTION:
Do you need a change of culture. Do you need a change of leadership
culture, is it a broader problem?
BRUCE SCOTT:
Look, I’m confident with the leadership within the military to deal with
this issue and deal with any allegations of improper conduct within the
military.
QUESTION:
Do you think they get it though, Minister, you’ve vowed to stamp out this
sort of stuff, so have other ministers and we still hear about it time and
time again. Do you think these people actually understand what you’re
talking about when you want it stamped out?
BRUCE SCOTT:
Yes I’m sure they do and I think so do those of the military leadership
and I think we must judge on what we see. I am certainly confident that
we have good military leadership because that is essential if we are to
have good military discipline.
QUESTION:
Are you ruling out any further government action on this if the
disciplinary record doesn’t bear up?
BRUCE SCOTT:
Oh look, let me say in relation to this issue I’m confident that the
processes within the military forces and the leadership of the Australian
Defence Force will deal with this appropriately.
We have every
confidence in them.
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Page: 5
Thank you.
*
*
END
*
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SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
BRISBANE
CANBERRA
PERTH
ADELAIDE
NEWCASTLE
HOBART
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08 9228 5800
08 8362 2325
02 4926 1628
03 6231 5300