Clarification of Facts
11 March 2012
The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) is aware of the claim in News Limited reporting on Sunday 11 March 2012 that he was present when a legal officer was allegedly manhandled by another officer.
On the morning of the alleged incident General David Hurley had arranged a meeting with the then Commander Australian Defence College, Rear Admiral James Goldrick, the Deputy Commandant ADFA, Colonel Paul Petersen and a senior civilian member of the University of NSW staff to discuss issues relating to the management of ADFA.
Lieutenant Commander Cook was not invited to, and did not participate in, the meeting as implied by media reporting.
The CDF and Rear Admiral Goldrick have stated that they did not see nor were they aware of any incident of this description or similar during their meeting.
General Hurley has provided a statement to the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service.
Defence understands the matter remains the subject of an Australian Federal Police investigation.
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
