The AFG is an organisational unit in the Vice-Chief of Defence Force Group specialising in ceremonies.

Details of the needless purchase, red-flagged by Defence management in 2012, was outlined in an answer to a question on notice from Labor senator Alex Gallacher published this week.

The incorrect expenditure is another embarrassing slip up for the Defence establishment after it was revealed $585,000 was fraudulently racked up on a fuel card after it was left on a mini-bus bought at auction during the same period.

Defence's first assistant secretary looking after audit and fraud control, Geoffrey Brown, has confirmed the massive boot buy-up was not a case of fraud.

Instead Mr Brown said a man spent the money using a purchasing card but did not have authority to do it.