Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says “every single revelation” in connection with the Brereton report is proving a “political problem for the government”.
It was revealed on Tuesday, current serving special forces soldiers and veterans have accused the Morrison government of planning to strip meritorious service awards months before the Brereton report became public.
Their claim rests on the fact that changes to the way awards could be withdrawn were made in July, months before the Brereton report was released.
“For state governments, it’s political poison to be seen not to be backing the police; In the same way, for a federal government, it’s political poison to be seen not to be backing the armed forces,” Mr Clennell said.
“I think Scott Morrison and his people are very alive to the political dangers here, but they’ve been given this massive problem to deal with, this report.”
Mr Clennel added, when the report was first handed down, the prime minister was in Japan and then in quarantine, so it’s only now the “chickens are coming home to roost”.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt the government would have known for some time there were going to be findings against certain soldiers, charges against soldiers, so yes, they would have laid the groundwork.
“But now it seems every single revelation in connection with this issue is a political problem for the government.”