Editorial The Abuse of the Power of Office The Australian people and government are caught in a fundamental nexus. Key elements of society and government appear to be ignorant of the relationship between their rights and duties. Alternatively, or in addition, they are deliberately ignoring their duties and usurping authority for political gain. It has been long understood that parliament is a body designed to debate and pass legislation, however, it also acts as the stage for political theatre where the political parties and individuals are tested by their opponents and peers. Unfortunately for Australia the functions of parliament have been traduced, so that rigorous debate and refining of legislation have become a rubber stamp process, with both houses becoming stages for outlandish stunts. It is now possible to see the most senior of our politicians insult the professionalism and integrity of military officers. Officers, who under their oath of loyalty to the crown and constitution, are denied reply to even the most obnoxious allegation or joke. The legal and traditional conventions of civil-military relations, powers and responsibilities have been profoundly eroded and in some cases broken. The ADF has been used as a tool to win electoral support, and it has been repeatedly used on a whim for political point scoring. The great success of Australia's profession of arms in Timor rightly won the support and admiration of the people. This success, however, has tempted the government and the opposition to use the ADF in highly politicised roles for which they are not equipped or legally suited. Running down boat people is not a role of the RAN, however, rescuing people in distress at sea is the duty of all mariners. The crucial balance between government, parliament, public service, ADF and the media has been deliberately destroyed. The government, and especially ministers' aides and staff, are prepared to do anything to stay in power. The `babies overboard' story was never checked before staff and ministers used it to exploit a supposed threat to Australia's security. A `certain maritime incident' reveals the ethical bankruptcy of ministers, their advisors, staff and some senior members of the ADF and Defence. The most basic lesson, given to even the most junior members of the ADF, is that all information must be treated sceptically. It must be independently and thoroughly checked for accuracy and reliability. Yet, this incident showed that much higher paid, and one can only assume more highly educated, government employees failed to apply the simplest test to unverified information. Added to this blunder were the farcical revisions of information to hand, which compromised the standing of several very senior defence officials. The complicit relationship between ministers, advisors, staff and senior public servants and their staff provides further evidence of their failure to understand and follow the ethical and legal codes of behaviour the public has a right to expect. The integrity of serving officers has been vindicated by their absolute honesty and their refusal to be suborned. The politicisation of Defence and the failure of some of their own to understand the constitutional separation of powers is causing a huge loss of confidence and much anger at all levels of the ADF. The media has also been hopelessly out of touch with the shifts in power. They do not understand the sensitive links between the people, government, the ADF and the constitutional structures that establish the powers and responsibilities of each. Instead of being an acute critical reporter of events and their import, the media seek sensation, glamour and scandal in the high policy of the nation as if it were little different to the antics of a pop band. The self-congratulatory comments by the government on its small increase in the defence budget, which was treated by the media as an amazing event, is further proof of their lack of knowledge and research effort. It is vital that the electorate, parliament, the media and Defence are given leadership to re-establish the legal and ethical balance between these structures. Reform is essential in the development, maintenance and deployment of our armed forces. The separation of power and its correct use are as important to our democracy as is the ADF to our nation's security. AUSTRALIA DEFENCE ASSOCIATION The Australia Defence Association is a company
(ABN 16 083 007 390) limited by guarantee and registered under the
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