Amid reports former members of the Australian Defence Force have been approached to provide military training to China, Defence Minister Richard Marles has ordered the Department of Defence to review laws governing retired military personnel.
In response to concerns that Beijing is recruiting pilots to train the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Minister for Defence Richard Marles has ordered an urgent investigation into reports that China has tried to recruit former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to help train their military.
Initial reports show a formal investigation is required, Minister Marles said at a media conference on Wednesday, asserting that former Defence personnel had an “enduring obligation” to protect state secrets.
Minister Marles ordered the review after asking the Defence Department last month to investigate reports that China had approached former Australian military personnel to become trainers.
“The information provided to me so far presents enough evidence to warrant the need for a detailed examination into the adequacy of current Defence policies and procedures addressing this matter.
“I want to make this point,” Minister Marles said.