Australia apologises to victims of abuse within the military

Australia’s government and defence force commander has apologised to hundreds of victims of abuse within the military, clearing the way for victims to receive compensation.

In an address to parliament, defence minister Stephen Smith acknowledged that soldiers, sailors and member of the air force had suffered abuse, often by superiors under the excuse of toughening up younger recruits, since the early 1950s.

An independent report into abuse within the military earlier this year found 775 plausible allegations of sexual, physical and mental abuse within the armed forces since 1951.