Veterans of Afghan, Iraq wars call for PM to release official histories

Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are urging the Prime Minister to release official histories of the conflicts. The Australian War Memorial, the Returned and Services League (RSL) and Legacy have joined forces to call for the release of these comprehensive records. These histories, which have been in the works since 2015, aim to provide an accurate and thorough account of Australia's role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The lack of publication has been a source of concern for veterans, many of whom continue to grapple with the emotional and psychological impact of their service. The RSL national president, Peter Tinley, has accused the government of bureaucratic mismanagement and a misunderstanding of the purpose of the histories. He has called on the Prime Minister to expedite their release, emphasizing that veterans, their families and the families of the fallen deserve transparency and truth.

The Australian War Memorial, which facilitates the writing of these official histories, has defended the process, describing the work as "era-defining, comprehensive and exhaustive." However, the delay in publication has been deemed unacceptable by veterans' advocates, who argue that the histories are essential for veterans to understand their service and the consequences of their actions.