The Australian Army has stood aside a staff member of the Australian Army Cadets while NSW Police and the Australian Army conduct enquiries into allegations of unacceptable behaviour at a Sydney-based cadet unit.
The allegations of unacceptable behaviour relate to events reported to have occurred in 2013. The Australian Army Cadets received a formal complaint in relation to the allegations in February 2014 and subsequently conducted initial enquiries into the matter.
Following additional reports on 6 April 2014, the matter was referred to the NSW Police Force and Defence is assisting police with their enquiries. Separately, the Australian Army has commenced further action regarding the matter.
Defence will not release any further details regarding the individuals concerned, including their personal information or service history or the allegations due to ongoing enquiries and provisions of the Privacy Act.
Defence does not accept or excuse illegal, offensive or discriminatory behaviour. Such behaviour contradicts Defence values and does not represent the ethos of the Australian Defence Force or its members.
Defence will not comment further on this matter at this time.
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
