Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is under fire from Australia's political and army leader after calling for intervention in the case of three commandos charged over civilian deaths in Afghanistan.
Anger over the charges has prompted more than 20-thousand people to sign an online petition calling on Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Ken Gillespie and Governor-General Quentin Bryceto intervene by cancelling the prosecution proceedings.
Lieutenant-General Gillespie says the independence of the DMP should be respected and he's warned soldiers against conduct which might influence the outcome of the charges.
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And the Prime Minister has also rejected Abbott's stance, saying under the law, the government can't act in the matter and Mr Abbott should acquaint himself with the military justice process.
Gillard says Abbott was a member of the Howard cabinet which brought in the new military justice system.
She says if Abbott had any concerns about the laws he should've raised them at that time.
