A Senate committee examining claims of a botched internal defence investigation into the so-called "Jedi Council" sex scandal has put the matter in the too-hard basket.
Members of the council comprised army officers and other personnel who allegedly produced and distributed offensive material and imagery, including filmed sex acts, on the defence email system.
The offences dated back to 2010 and came to light in mid-2013.
They were uncovered following a series of defence sex scandals.
Some members were discharged and disciplinary action taken against others, with the alleged ringleader handed a suspended jail sentence.
Last December, the Senate noted a NSW police strike force CIVET report that alleged Defence's investigative service deliberately lied, withheld evidence and fabricated information in its investigation of the Jedi Council.
The Senate defence committee tabled its report in the upper house on Thursday and said in the absence of evidence to substantiate the allegations, the committee was not in a position to undertake further scrutiny of this matter.
It had been unable to establish the status of the confidential report because NSW police wouldn't hand it over.
A copy was leaked to independent senator Jacqui Lambie but parts were blacked out.
"Collectively, these factors made it difficult for the committee to proceed with the inquiry as it was unable to assess the evidence raised in submissions and establish the provenance of versions of the CIVET report referred to in evidence," the committee said.
It acknowledged evidence received was conflicting and incomplete with the potential to further harm the reputation and wellbeing of individuals.
Share
