Concerns in Canberra over Angus Campbell's Brussels appointment
At least two senators are concerned over the appointment of the former defence chief to an ambassadorial post.
At least two crossbench senators are concerned about the appointment of former Defence chief Angus Campbell as Australia’s ambassador to Belgium in what is proving to be an increasingly politically contentious decision.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed on Friday that Campbell will head to Brussels after ending a six-year stint as Australia’s top military officer. Wong said the Order of Australia recipient would "help deepen Australia’s peace and security cooperation” globally.
While the Opposition welcomed the appointment, it’s been less favourably received by Senate crossbenchers who have long sounded the alarm over command responsibility for alleged war crimes during the War in Afghanistan.
Greens senator David Shoebridge described Campbell’s appointment as following “scandal after scandal” in Defence under his leadership, including budget blowouts and the Brereton Inquiry, which found credible information that ADF members committed murder, assault and property damage in Afghanistan.
