Chief of Navy Slams "Inaccurate" Article

28 June 2009 By R. H. Crane VADM, RAN, Chief of Navy

The article in the Weekend Australian 27-28 June, (credit spree was ‘navy culture’) by Drew Warne-Smith is inaccurate. The circumstances in relation to Geoffrey Smith are a matter of ongoing inquiry for the Independent Commission Against Corruption and I will not add speculation while this important investigative body is in the middle of its review. I do however take exception to the quite ridiculous suggestion by the unnamed source that our Navy’s senior officer’s culture breeds a dangerous sense of entitlement. There are strict rules around the use of credit cards in Defence and there are procedures in place to monitor usage and ensure compliance. Where appropriate, individuals are subject to disciplinary or administrative proceedings for non-compliance. All Navy personnel are required to undertake regular fraud awareness training. Our people accept this because they understand responsibility and ethics and that the nature and demands of the job that they do for our country places higher expectations upon them.

Command at sea has nothing to do with entitlements; it is about responsibility and leadership, particularly given the complex operational context in which our people today contribute to our national security. Sea command is the most demanding assignment in the Navy and is not taken on by those seeking so-called entitlements, rather by those officers who demonstrate solid leadership qualities and accept the responsibility and burden of a job that is unique and special.

The fundamental importance of responsibility and leadership is at the heart of our Navy culture. Australians can be proud of their Navy.