Fed: Cosgrove says Defence could have done better on Collins

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2004
Fed: Cosgrove says Defence could have done better on Collins

Defence chief PETER COSGROVE has conceded that the Defence Department has made mistakes
in the case of intelligence whistleblower Lieutenant Colonel LANCE COLLINS.

And he says he's told those responsible to lift their game and give the Army's top
intelligence analyst some redress.

But General COSGROVE has told Channel Nine that Lieutenant Colonel COLLINS has also
not done well with his personal management.

Lieutenant Colonel COLLINS claims his career stalled after he criticised the Defence
Intelligence Organisation for ignoring his warnings on East Timor.

He wrote to Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD last month calling for a royal commission into
Australia's intelligence agencies.

General COSGROVE says the whistleblower's broader issues have been examined before
by competent authorities, but he's sent them back for another look.

AAP RTV dep/mfh/rsm/jmt

KEYWORD: INTELLIGENCE (CANBERRA)

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