Scott Morrison was asked whether Ben Roberts-Smith should be stripped of his Victoria Cross, and whether it is appropriate for Kerry Stokes, the chairman of the Australian War Memorial, to pay for the legal defence of some soldiers facing allegations of war crimes.
He doesn't answer the first, saying: "In relation to any individuals, the government is in no position to offer commentary on what is in the report as it may or may not relate to individuals. And that is intentional because the justice system is what has to deal with this issue."
On the second, he says: "In relation to others who may choose, for whatever reason, to provide support to anyone in their legal defences, well, it is a free country and it is a matter for them but how they choose to provide support."
"But is not uncommon in this country, and these matters are extremely serious but let's not forget these are Australian citizens who will be going through an Australian justice process, and they deserve all of the rights that sit with that process... and that is certainly (1/2)
"...not precluding anyone who may wish to assist them with their defence. And I'm puzzled as to why there might be a suggestion that they should be such a restriction, especially applied to one individual as opposed to anyone else in the justice system." (2/2)
Morrison asked whether the report prompted him to reflect on the treatment of whistleblowers. He says: "I think there has been a lot of courage shown by those who have come forward through this process that would not have been easy."
He continues: "And I think what that reflects is a deep respect for the values of the ADF and the aspirational nature of that. And our defence force people, more than any, would want to hold themselves to a high standard."
I think that question was more on the lines of whether it had made Morrison re-consider protections for whistleblowers, but he didn't touch that issue.
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