An internal inquiry into Australia’s elite military wing has revealed that an abandonment of curiosity among top leadership and an inversion of authority within units created conditions where alleged war crimes could occur. Published recently after being handed to military leadership in 2022, the executive summary points to deep systemic cultural problems within the Australian Defence Force’s Special Air Services Regiment.
The investigation followed the 2020 release of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry, which found credible evidence of dozens of unlawful killings. While that initial report focused heavily on the actions of soldiers on the ground, this subsequent review examined the broader command structure, information flow, and cultural drivers within Special Operations Command.
Data Trends Ignored by Higher Headquarters
The report found an extreme limitation in how information travelled from SAS units upward to higher echelons of command. However, it placed significant blame on senior headquarters for failing to interrogate alarming operational indicators crossing their desks.
IGADF Inquiry Examines Australian Special Forces Culture and Command in Afghanistan• Inquiry investigated culture and command of SAS/SOTGs during Afghanistan war• Report identified deep systemic cultural issues and command breakdown enabling wrongdoing• Executive summary… pic.twitter.com/5wI9Y5bQEQ
Researchers noted that tangible data regarding growing numbers of enemy killed in action should have triggered immediate scrutiny. Statistics showed consistent spikes over time, paired with unusual operational signatures such as a total lack of wounded insurgents and zero ADF casualties.
According to the inquiry, some commanders noticed these anomalies while others ignored them, pointing to a broader abandonment of curiosity. Rumours circulating about unit conduct warranted formal investigations that never materialized.
Former SAS captain and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie addressed the findings on Radio National Breakfast. He stated that the report rang true to his experience as a junior officer and confirmed that responsibility spanned across the chain of command rather than resting solely on individuals.
Elite Arrogance and Inverted Authority
The inquiry reserved its harshest assessments for the internal culture of the SAS during the conflict. Investigators identified a pervasive belief among operators that they were exceptional and that ordinary norms no longer applied to them.
The report suggested that both the government and Special Operations Command contributed to this mindset by framing the regiment as superior rather than specialist. This fostered a tendency toward arrogance, an unhealthy imitation of foreign special forces, and a culture resembling a bikie gang.
Operational decision-making was sometimes warped by a pursuit of awards and personal acclaim, leading troops to seek out high-risk engagements for reasons outside mission effectiveness. Within the units, the normal military hierarchy inverted. Non-commissioned officers wielded effective control over junior officers, who often prioritized mateship over command responsibilities.
| Inquiry Focus | Key Finding |
|---|---|
| Command Oversight | Higher headquarters ignored unusual casualty statistics and persistent operational rumors. |
| Unit Culture | Pervasive belief of being “untouchable” alongside an inverted military hierarchy. |
| Operational Drivers | Decision-making influenced by a desire for awards, valor, and personal acclaim. |
Investigators also highlighted the unauthorized establishment of a dedicated drinking establishment at Camp Russell in violation of deployment orders, noting that junior officers who attempted to challenge these dynamics were systematically undermined.
Legal Fallout and Ongoing Reform
The initial findings from the 2020 Afghanistan inquiry directly prompted the creation of the Office of the Special Investigator. Legal proceedings have since targeted specific former personnel, including former corporal and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, along with former trooper Oliver Schulz, both of whom have contested charges against them.
While the full report remains restricted due to sensitive security evidence, the published executive summary notes that concerted efforts toward cultural reform within the SAS were already underway as the inquiry concluded its work.
