DPR 129/97 Friday September 26, 1997

BLACK HAWK DISCIPLINARY UPDATE

The following is the text of a statement released today by General John Kingston, the Support Commander - Army, at a media conference held at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

"I am speaking to you today as the convening authority required to decide what action to take in regard to the charges preferred against Majors Hunter, and Jameson, and Captain Bellis, following the Black Hawk accident. This morning I reached a decision to, in effect, dismiss all charges against Major Hunter and Captain Bellis, both of the Special Air Service Regiment, and dismiss all but one charge against Major Jameson, formerly of the 5th Aviation Regiment.

I have asked for further legal advice on the remaining charge and will announce my decision at a later date.

In reaching this decision I have taken into account, advice as to the likelihood of successful prosecutions of these charges, the efficacy of disciplinary action versus administrative action and the longer term impact on the members' career of either disciplinary or administrative action.

Additionally, the recent decision by Major General Ford, the Commander Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, not to proceed with disciplinary action against two members in relation to range practice arrangements at the time of the Black Hawk accident was a factor in my decision. Some of the charges being faced by these men were very similar to some of the charges Majors Hunter, Jameson and Captain Bellis faced."