Angus Campbell says he spoke to Scott Morrison after video used images of ADF personnel without permission

This article is more than 6 months old

This article is more than 6 months old

The chief of the defence force has said he was “discomfited” by Scott Morrison’s use of images of defence force personnel in a video about the government’s bushfire response and raised it personally with the prime minister.

Defence department officials told Senate estimates on Wednesday that permission was neither sought nor given to use images of defence personnel, which Angus Campbell said he raised personally with Morrison within hours of learning of the controversy.

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The video, released on 4 January at the height of the summer bushfire crisis, details the callout of 3,000 defence reservists to help in fire-affected areas and concludes with a political authorisation by Morrison on behalf of the Liberal party.

The video generated a backlash after a series of fumbles from Morrison, including a holiday in Hawaii during the crisis, and because in one iteration a social media post containing the advertisement also included a link to donate to the Liberal party.

The video is still available on both Morrison and the Liberal party’s Twitter accounts:

Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) We’re putting more Defence Force boots on the ground, more planes in the sky, more ships to sea, and more trucks to roll in to support the bushfire fighting effort and recovery as part of our co-ordinated response to these terrible #bushfires pic.twitter.com/UiOeYB2jnv

At Senate estimates on Wednesday, Labor’s Penny Wong and Kimberley Kitching noted that defence policy states that images of defence personnel must not be used in advertising, display material, websites, or other public mass media without permission.

Asked his view of the material, in the light of his concern that the ADF not be politicised, Campbell replied: “Whenever the ADF or any other apolitical body finds itself between political parties, I am discomfited.

“And I don’t suggest there was intentionality in that circumstance, but the ADF in particular needs, wherever possible, and always be, in a non-partisan both reality and perception,” he said.

“I am discomfited, but I did not see ill-intent in the actions. And I appreciate that this conversation is an example of where the ADF does not want to be.”

David Sharaz (@DavidSharaz) CDF Angus Campbell has revealed during #estimates he was "discomforted" by the social media post uploaded by PMO during the bushfires, so much so he rang the PM to inform him directly. @lindareynoldswa here telling @SenatorWong to stop calling it an advert. #auspol pic.twitter.com/a1YE4BnsrV

Campbell said he offered his advice to the government after “initial public interest”, speaking to the prime minister personally a couple of hours after hearing about the video on the morning radio. He would not reveal the content of the advice, which he said was given in confidence.

Campbell suggested that after the controversy the government had changed its position, although Labor senators pointed out the “advertisement” was still available online.

Anthony Albanese said Morrison had “used defence force imagery to try to shore up what was flailing political support due to his lack of action during the bushfire crisis”.

“The CDF has made this statement … making clear that he was discomfited by the abuse that occurred here,” Albanese told Sky News.

Albanese criticised Morrison and the Liberal party for making the advertisement “at a time people were defending their houses, [and] communities were under siege from these bushfires” and seeking donations in a button attached to it.

In question time, Morrison batted back Labor’s question about the conversation, saying he respected “private discussions with the chief of the defence force” and thanked him for his advice.

“We seek to ensure that we reflect in our own actions the advice that we are provided,” he said, before pivoting to defence force capability.

Earlier in estimates, the defence minister, Linda Reynolds, claimed the government didn’t seek permission because it “wasn’t required”, since the video wasn’t an “advertisement” but rather an information video about the response to the bushfires.

A political authorisation was included because of Australian Electoral Commission advice not because it constituted an advertisement, she said.

Rebecca Skinner, the associate secretary of the defence department, defended the video on the basis the department did not regard it as advertising.

“When I saw the material afterwards … [I judged that] it is just material of defence doing our role,” she said.

When Wong suggested the video clearly breached the ADF policy, Greg Moriarty, the defence department secretary, repeatedly replied that authorisation was neither sought nor given for the video.

“It was the government’s view that [authorisation] was not required.”

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He said he was “strongly of the view” the department’s policy should be adhered to.

Moriarty said he had discussed the video “in general terms” with officers in the department and the minister, but had not “formally” raised concerns.

In December Labor demanded the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, explain why he appeared alongside senior members of the Australian federal police in a political video spruiking the government’s plan to put officers with short-barrelled rifles in airports.

Electoral law requires political material to be authorised where it is made “for the dominant purpose of influencing the way electors vote in a federal election” – regardless of whether it is aired outside the election period.