David Morrison's "personally directed" inquiry into child sex offence allegations got the desired result. A headline.
Saturday, 06 February 2016
David Morrison always played for the headline, this from June 2014 after 61 year old officer of the Army Cadets Christopher Gordon Williams was gaoled for his sex crime against a 13 year old girl.
Army demands answers on cadet sex case
- THE AUSTRALIAN
- JUNE 14, 2014
THE army is conducting a high-level investigation of its own cadet service’s handling of allegations against an officer who was yesterday jailed for sending an indecent message to a 13-year-old girl.
The inquiry is being carried out at the personal instruction of the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, who has taken a public stand against sexual abuse within the ranks following a string of scandals.
Launched in April, it follows revelations in The Australian of a series of allegations dating back to 2012 that the officer, Christopher Gordon Williams, behaved inappropriately towards three 16-year-old female cadets.
These were very serious allegations against a sex offender who slipped through the cracks to work with children. The boss of the Army raced into print with a media statement. He got his headline. And not much more.
Knowing what we know now about Morrison, what you are about to read will probably not surprise you. It's shocking, it's inexcusable, but given the show-pony and his pursuit of headlines, it's entirely in character.
From the Department of Defence, dated 5 February, 2016 in response to my requests for the result of the Morrison inquiry into WILLIAMS.
UNCLASSIFIED
Good Afternoon Michael,
Please see below a response to your queries. Please attribute to unnamed Defence spokesperson.
"Can Defence advise the outcome of General Morrison's directive?
Response:
Thank you for your enquiry. The Defence Inquiry into the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) policies, procedures and management of complaints has been finalised and the findings are currently under consideration. As such, the Inquiry process is not yet complete and it would therefore be inappropriate for Defence to provide further comment at this time. "
Regards,
Defence Media | Department of Defence
____________________________________________
Russell Offices | PO Box 7909 | Canberra BC | ACT 2610
P: +61 2 6127 1999 | E: [email protected] | Follow us on Twitter: @DeptDefence
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914. If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email.
ENDS
This was David Morrison's personal initiative, the inquiry he personally ordered and set up. It was urgent, parents and children were upset and very worried, police sere involved and there were many questions - and allegations - unanswered. I single out the word "allegations" because one of the things Morrison promised he would inquire into was a range of written allegations I and others had put to Defence about Williams and the fact that he'd been allowed to join the Army Cadets after being kicked out in disgrace from the Air Force Cadets.
The response above should be read in conjunction with the following.
In April 2014, in a formal statement Defence advised
- the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO, has directed an inquiry into the allegations, including Australian Army Cadets (AAC) policies, procedures and management of complaints,
In yesterday's response there's no mention of the allegations against Williams having been inquired into at all.
Morrison remained in the role as Chief of Army until May 2015, 13 months in which he could have ensured the inquiry progressed.
Two years down the track and parents and the community are none the wiser as to how this bloke was allowed to rejoin Defence working with children after being kicked out in disgrace.
This is scandalous.
I'll publish a further two stories about this today. And I'll do my best to get a comment from Morrison.