Booze ban for Australian military during 'warlike operations' and exercises abroad
Australian Defence Force personnel have been banned from drinking alcohol during "warlike operations" and military exercises abroad.
The ban has been issued due to the fallout of the Brereton war crimes inquiry.
Operational commanders have to enforce the new policy and will be responsible for testing troops who may have consumed drinks containing alcohol above 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).
The new policy states: "A member who fails to maintain a zero BAC (blood alcohol count) through random testing will have administrative action commenced against them resulting in potential removal from the operation, exercise or activity."
Any personnel who refuse to undertake alcohol testing will be "removed from the workplace immediately and be banned from access to weapons and ammunition, and access to vehicles", it goes on to say.
Even those who cannot be tested but are suspected of being intoxicated will be removed from duty until the service member is deemed to have a zero BAC.
During training exercises, troops will now be allowed to have a maximum of two drinks on public holidays such as Australia Day, Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Although, for these to be approved, a risk assessment must be submitted at least 21 days before the planned event.
Senior military commanders have been told they must enforce the booze ban and they are responsible for conducting testing for anyone thought to be breaking the rules.
The only time alcohol will be permitted without permission during operations will be for the consumption of communal wine, used during a religious service.
The directive says that non-alcoholic beer, wines or spirits will be defined as having less than 0.5% ABV – or similar alcohol content to a bottle of Kombucha.
This comes after the publication of the damning Brereton report and inquiry, which found "credible evidence" that Australian Special Forces operators were responsible for the unlawful killing of 39 people in Afghanistan and there was widespread drinking during the deployment.
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