A retired Australian army general has publicly challenged the findings of the 2020 Brereton inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan, arguing that senior military leaders should share accountability for the actions of their subordinates. Major-General Roger Noble, one of Australia’s most experienced commanders, said the investigation failed to hold top brass responsible for the unlawful killings uncovered during the probe.

Justice Paul Brereton’s inquiry identified 39 unlawful killings of Afghan civilians and prisoners, attributed to 25 Australian soldiers, some of whom have since faced criminal charges. However, the report cleared senior officers, including former chief of the Australian Defence Force Angus Campbell, of criminal responsibility. Brereton concluded that accountability did not extend beyond the rank of sergeant, effectively excluding higher-ranking commanders from blame.

Noble rejected this interpretation, emphasizing that command responsibility is a fundamental military principle and should run through all levels of the chain of command. “I don’t agree with the premise that [the chain of command] breaks in the middle,” he said. Noble noted that Campbell, who was chief of army during the period when most alleged crimes occurred and served as commander of Australian forces in the Middle East in 2011, was part of the command structure and therefore bore responsibility.

While acknowledging the senior officers he knew personally were “ethically sound,” Noble said the military had never fully conducted an internal review regarding their accountability. He underscored the importance of starting with acceptance of responsibility as the basis for systemic accountability. “For the system to work, the top has to be connected to the bottom,” he said, advocating for consequences such as removal from command or stalled promotions, similar to the approach taken by the United States military.

Noble also called for greater urgency in the judicial process, noting that the alleged offenses date back 15 years and that delays risk undermining justice. The former SAS corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, who received the Victoria Cross and has been charged with five counts of murder, denies all allegations. Another former SAS soldier, Oliver Schulz, faces similar murder charges. Noble urged the public to remain patient while warning that the legal proceedings must be expedited.

In response to the Brereton inquiry, Defence Minister Richard Marles stripped medals from fewer than 10 senior officers for their failure to prevent war crimes. An independent oversight panel monitoring Defence’s response reported widespread frustration and distrust within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), stating that senior leadership’s reluctance to accept organizational responsibility has caused “anger and bitter resentment” among current and former personnel. The panel emphasized the need for Defence leaders to communicate collective accountability for shortcomings during Australia’s military operations in Afghanistan.