DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 274/08
Friday, 29 August 2008
AFGHANISTAN INQUIRY FINDINGS PUBLICLY RELEASED
The findings of an ADF inquiry into the combat death of Lance Corporal Jason Marks
and a separate inquiry into claims of detainee mistreatment were released today.
The first inquiry sought to establish the facts surrounding the death of Lance Corporal
Marks on 27 April 2008.
Vice Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley, said Lance Corporal
Marks was an extremely well-respected commando team leader who was serving with
the 4RAR (Commando) component of the Special Operations Task Group.
“Lance Corporal Marks was killed conducting a combat operation in an extremely
demanding environment.
“A thorough inquiry was undertaken into his death. The Inquiry Officer looked at
equipment, training, the operational situation and available support on the day of the
incident to ascertain if there was anything that could have been done to prevent Lance
Corporal Marks’ death,” Lieutenant General Hurley said.
The Inquiry Officer was satisfied that no further formal inquiry was warranted and the
Minister for Defence, in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force, agreed that a
Chief of Defence Force Commission of Inquiry was not required.
The second inquiry was appointed to look into allegations of detainee mistreatment by
Australian troops during an operation on 29-30 April 2008.
Lieutenant General Hurley said the ADF takes any allegations of detainee
mistreatment very seriously.
The Inquiry Officer found that medical evidence and witness statements did not
support an Afghan soldier’s claims that Australian soldiers mistreated detainees who
were transported to a Forward Operating Base on 29 April 2008. The Inquiry Officer
found that the allegations were most likely the result of cultural misunderstanding.
Media Note:
Copies of the inquiry reports are at:
The public reports have had operationally sensitive information redacted to ensure
that their release does not jeopardise the safety of Australian soldiers serving in
Afghanistan.
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 66
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