Australian Defence Force chief David Hurley is "deeply disappointed" with media reports that the bodies of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan had been mishandled.
He told a Senate estimates hearing on Monday the families of the soldiers involved had called the News Limited reports "unAustralian" and "incredibly insensitive".
The News Ltd report said the bodies of three soldiers were placed upside down in the lids of caskets.
Lieutenant General Hurley confirmed that photographs showed that once in 2008 and twice in 2011 caskets were used incorrectly. But he said an inquiry which started in January has so far found the bodies "were correctly oriented in the caskets at all times".
"All inquiries to date have shown the bodies were treated with the utmost respect and dignity."
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The defence force chief said he had explained the details when speaking with the journalist twice at length, and to the newspaper editor.
"The publication today is particularly insensitive given that two of the families are trying to deal with the first anniversary of their loved ones' death," Lt-Gen Hurley said.
In the News Ltd reports, whistleblowers recounted the mishandling of an Afghan corpse that was sent out of Tarin Kowt military base in a taxi with its legs hanging out the window, with the corpse never traced.
News Ltd said the incident was confirmed by Lt-Gen Hurley, who blamed Dutch and Afghan authorities, but maintained a funeral service for the body had been held.
But Lt-Gen Hurley told the Senate hearing: "At no time, can I say, did I blame the Dutch or ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) for this incident."
The way the Afghan's body was handled met ISAF rules at the time, and the ADF has since reviewed its guidelines for handling the remains of locals.
He defended Australian soldiers as "highly trained and very professional" but said they were fighting a war in a complex environment.
Gen Hurley said none of the inquiries into the matters had been initiated as a result of media reports or questions.
He intends to release the defence department's full answers to the News Ltd questions online later on Monday.
