Sydney: Following an investigation that connected alcohol use to war crimes committed during Australia's involvement in Afghanistan, The Times reported on Wednesday that the Australian military has banned alcohol on operations and drills.
In 2020, a long-running investigation into alleged war crimes by special forces agents produced its findings, concluding that frequent drinking was caused by a covert bar at the unit's base in Afghanistan.
An update to earlier advice disregarded by members of Australia's SAS will see a total ban on alcohol consumption during overseas deployments under new rules imposed by defence chiefs.
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A new task force is reportedly gathering evidence to be used in prosecutions after the unit is accused of committing 39 murders over the course of several deployments to Afghanistan.
An unofficial pub was discovered at the SAS base in Afghanistan, according to Judge Paul Brereton's 2020 report for the Australian Defence Force's inspector general.
One soldier testified to the judge that the pub allowed the SAS "to do certain stuff, but we're not going to get caught and it's not going to be regarded as misconduct because that's who we are and that's what we do." Operatives used the location to consume alcohol and host parties.
The existence of the bar was cited in the report as evidence of "organisational blindness" and "compromised ethical leadership."
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According to the new regulations, personnel may be allowed to consume a maximum of two alcoholic beverages during "non-warlike operations," such as Australia Day, Anzac Day, and Christmas. However, a risk assessment must be given 21 days in advance of the event.
Additionally, operational commanders have been told to randomly breathalyse employees.
The rules state that "administrative action will be commenced against a Member who fails to maintain a zero (blood alcohol level) through random testing and may result in removal from the operation, exercise, or activity."
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Employees who refuse breathalyser tests will be "immediately terminated from their positions and prohibited from having access to vehicles, weapons, or ammunition.