Australia Allocates 43.8 Million AUD to Investigate War Crimes in Afghanistan

The Australian government has allocated 43.8 million Australian dollars in the 2026/2027 budget to the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI). The funding is earmarked for the investigation of alleged war crimes committed by Australian defense forces during their deployment in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016.

The OSI was established in January 2021 as a direct response to the 2020 Brerton report. That report provided evidence of unlawful killings and other misconduct by Australian special forces operating in the region. The office is responsible for conducting rigorous criminal investigations to determine whether these actions constitute war crimes under international and domestic law, focusing on the conduct of military personnel during the decade-long period of Australian presence.

The investigations have already led to legal proceedings against specific personnel. Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith and soldier Oliver Schultz are among those facing war crime charges. The government's budget allocation for the upcoming 2026/2027 fiscal year aims to provide the necessary resources for the OSI to continue its probes, gather evidence, and ensure that any allegations of unlawful conduct are thoroughly examined and prosecuted if warranted.