The veterans affairs minister says an investigation in to the actions one of Australia's most decorated soldiers in Afghanistan need to be dealt with properly.
On Saturday, Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester told the ABC it was important the investigation into Ben Roberts-Smith be allowed to run its course.
"Having a trial by media, as it were, would be unfortunate," Mr Chester said.
"We need to wait for that report to come forward before we rush to judgement."
The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force is inquiring into issues relating to Australian special forces, including Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, in Afghanistan.
Corporal Roberts-Smith was also the subject of a complaint made to police in Canberra earlier this year, Fairfax Media reported on Friday.
Mr Chester said evidence was still being gathered for the ongoing investigation by the Australian Defence Force, with a report expected in the coming months.
Accounts from all parties are being heard behind closed doors due to the nature of their work, but Mr Chester deemed to the process to be fair.
"They have the chance to have any allegations properly explored, have the chance to put their side of the story forward," Mr Chester said.
"We sent these young men and women - we send them away, even today, to dangerous parts of the world to defend our values of freedom."
He said it was important they were given the opportunity to express their views in the process conducted by the Inspector-General of the ADF.
Mr Chester has just returned from a trip to the Middle East, where he inspected Australian forces involved mainly in "training the trainers" and advisory duties.
Corporal Roberts-Smith said he would "vigorously" defend himself.
"If and when I am given the opportunity to defend each specific allegation, I am very confident that direct witnesses will categorically demonstrate the falsity of them all," he said in a statement on Friday.
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