Reviews cleared defence deputy: minister

Defence Minister Marise Payne says she stands by investigations that cleared Defence Vice Chief Ray Griggs over claims he may have breached internal policies.

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Ray Griggs

Vice Admiral Ray Griggs has been cleared over claims he may have breached internal policies. (AAP)

Defence Minister Marise Payne is standing by Australia's second-highest ranking military boss against suggestions he breached internal policies when he married a fellow naval officer after divorcing his first wife.

And she says there's no comparison to be made with the lengthy investigation and recent sacking of the Australian Border Force boss over a workplace affair.

Vice-Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs was cleared by two independent reviews, including one examining complaints from his former wife about the timing of the affair and promotions, the minister said on Wednesday.

"There have been two inquiries which were initiated through the Chief of the Defence Force, one by a former senior military officer, another by the Inspector-General of the ADF," Senator Payne told Sky News.

"Those matters have been dealt with and I'm not going to make any public comment."

Senator Payne was satisfied with the findings.

Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin told a Senate inquiry last month the matter was "about family separation, it's deeply personal, it's emotive" and on advice provided to him, there was no breach of defence policy.

Earlier this month former Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg was sacked after a long investigation into whether he helped his girlfriend get a job at Sydney Airport.

"I don't think there's any comparison between the two circumstances," Senator Payne said.


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Source: AAP


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