… into claims of assault, torture and international human rights abuses during SAS training.

Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spcHcu8LUew

JLN Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has welcomed a Senate vote
which ensures her motion calling for an independent Senate Committee
investigation of the way that SAS treat soldiers on Resistance to Interrogation
training courses or exercises.

“ I’m very humbled that the Senate voted to support my motion (see attached 1) 34 votes to 27. The last
time I felt this way, was after the Senate voted to pass my Private Members Bill which linked Australian
soldiers’ pay rises to the pay rises of our Politicians.

It’s a shame that the Turnbull government have chosen to ignore that Senate vote – and pass the
legislation through the lower house and make it law. However this time it will be very difficult for the
Government to ignore the will of the Senate.” said Senator Lambie.

“There are some very serious allegations about Resistance to Interrogation Training (RTI) conducted by our
military that must be independently examined by a Senate Committee. This successful vote for my motion
means the government will have to co-operate and produce secret documents under special circumstances
to ensure that international human rights laws have not been broken.

And that the well-being of RTI course participants has been made a number one priority. I want to make
sure that the Australian Army hasn’t covered up serious abuse, assaults and /or crimes for over a decade –
and then used secrecy provisions to hide the misconduct or breach of international conventions.” said
Senator Lambie.

Amendment to be moved by Senator Lambie to Business of the Senate

Notice of Motion 2

As listed on page 3 of today’s Notice Paper in the name of Senator Lambie
I move—
1. That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
References Committee for inquiry and report by 10 May 2016: The operation of
the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) resistance to interrogation (RTI) training,
with particular reference to:
(a) what training methods are used;
(b) whether these training methods are in accordance with Australia’s
international obligations and Australian domestic laws;
(c) the effectiveness of existing ADF supervisory control measures;
(d) the ongoing mental health and wellbeing of personnel who have
participated in RTI training; and
(e) the matters raised in questions to Lieutenant General Campbell during
the 2015-16 additional estimates.
2. That the Senate:
(a) notes that Lieutenant General Campbell acknowledged during estimates
questioning that video and other electronic records were made by the
ADF of RTI training; and
(b) calls on orders the Minister for Defence (Senator Payne) to provide the
committee, under special circumstances which protect serving and
former ADF personnel identities and operational security, with all
recordings made by the ADF of RTI training by 15 March 2016 to assist
the committee with its inquiry.
Rob Messenger for Senator Jacqui Lambie Senator for Tasmania