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| Liberal byelection candidate Andrew Hastie defends Afghanistan actions | Liberal byelection candidate Andrew Hastie defends Afghanistan actions |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Liberal party’s candidate in a key federal byelection has defended his actions commanding a unit that was investigated for chopping the hands off dead Taliban fighters. | The Liberal party’s candidate in a key federal byelection has defended his actions commanding a unit that was investigated for chopping the hands off dead Taliban fighters. |
| Related: Liberal byelection candidate Andrew Hastie linked to Taliban investigation | Related: Liberal byelection candidate Andrew Hastie linked to Taliban investigation |
| The 2013 incident in Afghanistan was carried out by troops under the command of then-Captain Andrew Hastie, the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Canning who addressed the West Australian Liberal state conference in Perth on Saturday. | The 2013 incident in Afghanistan was carried out by troops under the command of then-Captain Andrew Hastie, the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Canning who addressed the West Australian Liberal state conference in Perth on Saturday. |
| The hands of three Taliban fighters killed in combat by the SAS soldiers were believed to have been removed to identify them by fingerprinting, sparking a defence investigation that has lasted more than two years. | The hands of three Taliban fighters killed in combat by the SAS soldiers were believed to have been removed to identify them by fingerprinting, sparking a defence investigation that has lasted more than two years. |
| Hastie said he wasn’t at the scene when it happened and when he found out about the incident, he did what was required – promptly reporting it up the chain of command. | Hastie said he wasn’t at the scene when it happened and when he found out about the incident, he did what was required – promptly reporting it up the chain of command. |
| “I was above and away in a helicopter, orbiting overhead,” Hastie said on Saturday. “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. | “I was above and away in a helicopter, orbiting overhead,” Hastie said on Saturday. “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. |
| “We were engaged in a high-intensity, complex and dangerous battle. | “We were engaged in a high-intensity, complex and dangerous battle. |
| “It is critical when you are fighting the Taliban that you gather evidence and do what you can to investigate the precise identification of your enemy.” | “It is critical when you are fighting the Taliban that you gather evidence and do what you can to investigate the precise identification of your enemy.” |
| Related: Bill Shorten says Canning byelection is a chance to tell Abbott 'enough is enough' | Related: Bill Shorten says Canning byelection is a chance to tell Abbott 'enough is enough' |
| “Everyone I served with conducted themselves with honour and integrity. | “Everyone I served with conducted themselves with honour and integrity. |
| “Secondly, not everything goes to plan in any aspect of life, let alone in a high-pressure war zone where people are trying to kill you.” | “Secondly, not everything goes to plan in any aspect of life, let alone in a high-pressure war zone where people are trying to kill you.” |
| He said the matter had been dealt with by an inquiry and all but one of the troops were cleared. That man’s case had not yet been finalised, but that should happen quickly, Hastie said. | He said the matter had been dealt with by an inquiry and all but one of the troops were cleared. That man’s case had not yet been finalised, but that should happen quickly, Hastie said. |
| “Out of concern for the soldier involved, I am disappointed that my candidacy has brought this issue to the forefront of media attention,” he said. “My actions at the time were appropriate. | “Out of concern for the soldier involved, I am disappointed that my candidacy has brought this issue to the forefront of media attention,” he said. “My actions at the time were appropriate. |
| “As reporters, there are differing views as to whether what happened constituted a breach to the rules of war. I have now left the defence force with a clean slate. | “As reporters, there are differing views as to whether what happened constituted a breach to the rules of war. I have now left the defence force with a clean slate. |
| “I’ve not lived my life behind a desk pushing paper. I’ve acted.” | “I’ve not lived my life behind a desk pushing paper. I’ve acted.” |
| “I’ve put my life on the line for this country and for freedom. I’ve led under pressure and worked with honour, integrity, compassion and diligence. I have the strength of character to stand up for what and who I believe in.” | |
| The prime minister was quick to show his support for Hastie when questioned about the incident. | |
| “I was aware of the matter and I was aware that there was no blemish, no stain on the conduct of this exemplary officer,” Tony Abbott told reporters in Perth. | |
| Australian Defence Association spokesman Neil James said the former captain did not make the decision to remove the fighters’ hands. | |
| “It was made by one of the patrol commanders when they were operating in a dispersed fashion,” James told ABC radio. | |
| “The decision was entirely justified in the circumstances, so that should be the end of it.” | |
| The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, said he would not criticise the Liberal candidate, adding: “That’s just not who I am. I respect the work of the defence forces, I respect the work that they’ve done overseas.” | |
| In his application for the position of Liberal candidate for Canning, Hastie wrote: “As an SAS officer with active service experience, I have a demonstrated capacity to fight for the Australian way of life.” | |
| He was recommended by the Liberal party’s selection committee as the best of seven candidates and had the backing of senior Liberals including the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, and the foreign minister, Julie Bishop. | He was recommended by the Liberal party’s selection committee as the best of seven candidates and had the backing of senior Liberals including the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, and the foreign minister, Julie Bishop. |
| The byelection, triggered by the death of Liberal MP Don Randall, will be held on 19 September. | The byelection, triggered by the death of Liberal MP Don Randall, will be held on 19 September. |
| Randall, who died of a heart attack in July, had a lead of almost 12% in Canning, but the latest Newspoll shows that margin has all but disappeared. | Randall, who died of a heart attack in July, had a lead of almost 12% in Canning, but the latest Newspoll shows that margin has all but disappeared. |
| The poll, which surveyed 508 Canning voters last weekend and was published by the Australian, shows the government ahead by 51% to 49% in two-party-preferred terms. At the last federal election in 2013 it won with 61.8% to Labor’s 38.2%. | The poll, which surveyed 508 Canning voters last weekend and was published by the Australian, shows the government ahead by 51% to 49% in two-party-preferred terms. At the last federal election in 2013 it won with 61.8% to Labor’s 38.2%. |
| The prime minister, Tony Abbott, told reporters on Friday he was “confident, but not complacent or cocky” about the Liberals’ chances in the byelection. He said Randall had attracted a strong personal vote. | The prime minister, Tony Abbott, told reporters on Friday he was “confident, but not complacent or cocky” about the Liberals’ chances in the byelection. He said Randall had attracted a strong personal vote. |
| “So I’m not saying for a moment that we’re going to hold Don’s margin, but nevertheless we’ve got a terrific candidate. Andrew Hastie is an outstanding individual,” Abbott said. | “So I’m not saying for a moment that we’re going to hold Don’s margin, but nevertheless we’ve got a terrific candidate. Andrew Hastie is an outstanding individual,” Abbott said. |