Liberal candidate for Canning and former SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) commander Andrew Hastie has defended his actions in Afghanistan, saying an inquiry found they were appropriate.



Fairfax Media has reported Mr Hastie was in the same troop as soldiers who cut off the hands of Taliban fighters killed in combat in Afghanistan two years ago.

Mr Hastie said he was in a helicopter above the scene — and not on the ground — when the incident happened.

"When I became aware, I did what I was required to do and promptly reported the incident up the chain of command," he told the West Australian Liberal Party conference ahead of the Canning by-election.

"I can say with great confidence that those soldiers involved directly with the incident were acting in what they believed to be the appropriate process laid out by Defence.

"This matter was dealt with by an inquiry and my actions at the time were appropriate. All but one of the troops was cleared."

Australian Defence Association executive director Neil James confirmed that Mr Hastie was leading another patrol, and his election chances should not suffer because of the incident.

"The decision wasn't made by Captain Hastie, it was made by one of the patrol commanders when they were operating in a dispersed fashion," Mr James said.

"Andrew Hastie wasn't the on-scene commander, he wasn't in the direct chain of command for this particular operation because that's not the way patrols work.

"He was leading another patrol operating in the same operation, but he wasn't actually there."

The 2013 Afghanistan incident occurred during a combined operation of the Afghan national security force and an Australian Special Operations Task Group force and remains under investigation by defence.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was proud the former SASR commander was the Liberal party's candidate.

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"He has fought for our country in the field and he will fight for our country in the Parliament," he said.

The former soldier will contest the Canning by-election next month, following the unexpected death of former MP Don Randall.

Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane has backed Mr Hastie on Twitter.

"Andrew Hastie has served our country in an exemplary way and will be a strong voice for Canning. We are honoured he is standing," he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would not pass judgement.

"I respect the work of Australian Defence forces and I respect the work that they've done overseas," Mr Shorten said.