The Controversial Tenure of General Angus Campbell: A Critical Analysis

General Angus Campbell, the former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), has been a polarising figure since his appointment. While some see him as a reformer, many within the military and broader community view his tenure as fraught with controversy and questionable decisions. 

Tenure Extension and Unjustified Salary

Despite widespread criticism, General Angus Campbell’s tenure as Chief of the Australian Defence Force was extended by two years, a decision that has baffled many within and outside the military. This extension came with a massive, and many argue, unjustified salary ($2,048,702 for two extra years), further exacerbating discontent among the ranks. Critics contend that given his track record of poor leadership, low morale, recruitment crises, and controversial decisions, extending his tenure was a misstep. They argue that the ADF needed fresh leadership to navigate its significant challenges, and that rewarding Campbell with an extension and substantial pay package sent the wrong message about accountability and performance standards within the military.

Misjudgment on Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

Another glaring example of General Angus Campbell's poor judgment was his dismissal of claims that the Taliban could quickly overrun Afghanistan once international troops withdrew. In the months leading up to the withdrawal, Campbell assured both his troops and the public that the Afghan National Army could hold its ground against the Taliban insurgency. However, these assurances proved disastrously incorrect when the Taliban swiftly took control of Afghanistan almost immediately after the withdrawal. This miscalculation not only demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of the on-ground realities but also left many questioning Campbell's strategic acumen and situational awareness. The rapid fall of Afghanistan underlined yet another significant failure during Campbell's leadership, further eroding confidence in his ability to make sound, informed decisions in critical situations.

Banning of Death Symbols

One of Campbell's early moves was the banning of certain "symbols of death" such as skulls and crossbones. This decision was part of a broader initiative to change the culture within the ADF. However, it was met with significant resistance and criticism from within the ranks. Many soldiers felt that this was an overreach and disconnected from the realities of frontline service. The symbols, long used as morale-boosting icons among troops, were suddenly deemed inappropriate, sparking debate about the balance between discipline and tradition.

Morale and Leadership

Campbell’s leadership style has come under fire for contributing to low morale across the Defence Force. Numerous service members have expressed feelings of neglect and a lack of effective leadership. Campbell's reluctance to accept responsibility for ongoing issues within the ADF has further exacerbated these sentiments. His approach has been seen as detached and unresponsive to the needs and concerns of the troops, leading to a pervasive sense of disillusionment.

Recruitment Crisis

Under Campbell’s leadership, the ADF has faced significant recruitment challenges. Poor decisions have damaged the Defence Force’s reputation, and a competitive job market has made it difficult to attract new talent. Additionally, issues with retaining personnel due to low morale have created long-term sustainability concerns. This recruitment crisis poses a serious threat to the future operational effectiveness of the ADF, as the pool of experienced and capable personnel dwindles.

The Four A’s Controversy

In May 2023, General Angus Campbell made headlines with his controversial “four A’s” advice to female Defence Force cadets. He advised them to avoid situations that could lead to sexual assault by following these guidelines: avoid alcohol, alone, after midnight, and being attractive. This advice was widely condemned for implying that victims should modify their behaviour to prevent assault, rather than addressing the behaviour of potential perpetrators. Critics argued that this perpetuated a culture of victim-blaming within the military, undermining efforts to create a safer and more supportive environment for all service members.

Hypocrisy and the Brereton Report

Campbell faced significant controversy regarding his Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) while simultaneously attempting to strip special forces soldiers of their Meritorious Unit Citations following the Brereton Report on alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. Critics argued that if medals were to be stripped from those under his command, Campbell’s own DSC, awarded during the same period, should also be reconsidered. This proposal to revoke the Meritorious Unit Citations was met with fierce backlash from veterans and politicians, who saw it as unjust and demoralising. They argued that it was premature to strip these honours before due process was followed. Furthermore, veterans pointed out that Campbell spent most of his deployment in a command role in the UAE rather than in direct combat, raising questions about the merit of his own decoration.

In relation to the Brereton report and the accountability for alleged war crimes, Campbell also admitted that he was the authority that undertook the review to determine who should be held accountable, presenting a massive conflict of interest. It appeared that he investigated and absolved himself, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability within the ADF's leadership.

Employment of Alleged War Criminal

Adding to the controversy, Campbell employed Colonel Penioni Naliva, an alleged Fijian war criminal, as the deputy commander of the 7th Brigade in Brisbane in January 2024. During a Senate estimates session, Senator David Shoebridge grilled Campbell after he admitted he was unaware of allegations against Naliva detailed in a book by a former Fijian politician and a 2011 UN report. The allegations included severe human rights abuses, including an incident where Naliva allegedly tortured a political opponent.

Senator Shoebridge read an excerpt from the book in which a former Fijian politician alleged he was being beaten by a man he identified as Colonel Naliva before he tried to insert the end of a rifle into his anus. “Do you not acknowledge that this happened during a coup when political opponents were being beaten and tortured and that they’re very unlikely to have trust in Fijian authorities to obtain justice?” the senator asked. 

When questioned, Campbell dismissed these allegations as unsubstantiated, arguing that no official complaint had been made against Naliva. Critics pointed out that Campbell seemed more concerned with unsubstantiated allegations against his own personnel than with those against foreign appointees, highlighting a troubling double standard in his leadership.

Conclusion

General Angus Campbell's tenure as Chief of the Australian Defence Force has been marked by a series of controversial decisions and leadership failures. From banning long-held military symbols to mishandling issues of morale and recruitment, his actions have often alienated the very people he is supposed to lead. The backlash against his handling of the Brereton report and the employment of an alleged war criminal further illustrate a pattern of questionable judgment, poor leadership and hypocrisy. As the ADF faces significant challenges, the legacy of Campbell's leadership remains a contentious and divisive issue, with many veterans and current serving personnel believing the ADF is better off now that he’s gone.

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