By stripping military medals only so far up the chain of command, Richard Marles has reopened old wounds

Australia's defence minister has sent letters to fewer than 15 people to let them know whether their awards are being cancelled or retained

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Richard Marles may have been trying to close the door on what he told parliament were arguably the most serious allegations of Australian war crimes in our history".

But by deciding to strip medals from some commanders and not others as part of an effort to show Australia is a country which holds itself accountable", the defence minister has reopened old wounds.

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