Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he cannot remember ordering military cadets to commemorate Adolf Hitler's rise to power so he won't be apologising for that specific incident.
But he says he is regretful of other inappropriate behaviour when he was at Duntroon Military College almost 30 years ago.
As a senior cadet in 1983 Mr Wilkie allegedly forced his juniors to salute the 50th anniversary of Hitler's rise to power, News Ltd has reported.
"I honestly cannot remember anything about that specific allegation," Mr Wilkie told reporters in Hobart on Friday.
"But I have never made a secret of the fact that I was one of many cadets involved in the bastardisation scandal at the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1983.
"In fact I was disciplined for misconduct at the time."
Mr Wilkie said he was "obviously regretful" of that.
He acknowledged the behaviour was wrong and inappropriate but insisted it wasn't physical or sexual.
"I've obviously grown up a lot in the last 30 years."
Mr Wilkie questioned why Herald Sun journalist, Andrew Rule decided to publish the story at this time.
The Herald Sun reported that Mr Rule is related to the junior officer cadet who revealed the alleged Nazi salute incident.
The cadet said he remembered Mr Wilkie giving orders to "come to attention" to honour Hitler, while wearing a dressing gown, Herald Sun reports.
The cadet reportedly tried to make an appointment with the Independent MP at his Hobart electorate office on Tuesday, but said the meeting was declined by the politician.
Mr Wilkie said he will talk to the former junior officer now.
The Herald Sun reports the Defence Department would not comment on the incident citing "privacy reasons."
It comes as another blow to the Australian defence force, which has been under scrutiny over revelations a video of a female cadet having sex with a male cadet, was broadcast to males in another room.
In the media conference, Mr Wilkie added that he will continue to drive reforms on gambling and poker machine use.
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