Australian army fights back against bullies

November 30, 2000
Web posted at: 12:57 PM HKT (0457 GMT)

CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) -- The Australian army will set up an anti-bastardization hotline to combat bullying and harassment in its ranks after allegations of brutality by elite troops at home and serving overseas.

Australian army chief Lt. Gen.l Peter Cosgrove on Thursday launched the army's "Fair Go" campaign to stamp out abuse in the ranks.

"I thoroughly reject the concept that bullying or harassment is necessary to create a tough soldier," said Cosgrove, who led a multinational peacekeeping force to East Timor in 1999-2000.

"I intend to put in place processes to ensure that we change this mindset if it exists," Cosgrove said at the launch.

Soldiers who until now have been afraid to report incidents of abuse are being encouraged to call a confidential hotline to be set-up in 2001, said Cosgrove.

"All allegations will be investigated," he said.

The Australian army and a parliamentary committee are already investigating claims that non-commissioned officers bashed soldiers from an elite parachute battalion for minor disciplinary breaches.

A soldier who recently gave evidence to the parliamentary committee has been placed under protective custody after a death threat was painted on his barrack's door.

A separate probe is also underway into allegations that members of the army's crack Special Air Service unit serving in East Timor had beaten and humiliated prisoners and posed for photographs standing over the bodies of dead militia.

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