The Claim
“Used a meme to successfully distract the media and populace from the government's lack of action after a report revealed dozens of horrific war crimes were committed by Australian special forces soldiers due to systemic cultural issues which the government is making no attempt to fix.”
Original Sources Provided
✅ FACTUAL VERIFICATION
The Brereton Report and War Crimes Allegations
The claim references the Brereton Report, released on November 19, 2020. The report is a formal investigation by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force into alleged war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016 [1]. The report found "credible information" that Australian Defence Force personnel committed serious war crimes, including the unlawful killing of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners [2].
The report identified systemic cultural issues within the special forces units. According to the investigation, these cultural problems contributed to an environment where war crimes could occur [3]. The report made 143 recommendations to address both individual accountability and systemic issues [4].
The Chinese Meme and Timeline
On November 30, 2020—11 days after the Brereton Report was released—Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian posted a fake image on Twitter depicting an Australian soldier holding a knife to an Afghan child's throat, with the caption "shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, & call for holding them accountable" [5].
This prompted a strong government response. Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the tweet "repugnant" and demanded China apologize [6]. The diplomatic incident dominated media headlines for several days, shifting news focus from the war crimes report [7].
Missing Context
However, the claim makes several assertions that require closer examination:
"Used a meme to successfully distract": The government did not "use" a meme—China's government posted it. The claim implies the Australian government orchestrated the meme as a distraction tactic, but the evidence shows China posted it as a political attack. This is a fundamental factual error [8].
"Government's lack of action": The government did take action in response to the Brereton Report. Prior to the report's release, the government announced it would establish an Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) to investigate and prosecute war crimes allegations [9]. The Department of Defence accepted all findings of the Brereton Report and committed to implementing all 143 recommendations [10]. This occurred in November 2020 during the Morrison government's tenure [11].
Media Response to China's Meme: While the Morrison government's strong response to China's meme dominated headlines, this was a Chinese government initiative—not an Australian government distraction strategy. News coverage of the Brereton Report itself was substantial: The Guardian, ABC News, CNN, and other major outlets published extensively on the report both before and after the meme incident [12]. The meme created a secondary news story, but did not erase coverage of the core war crimes allegations [13].
"Making no attempt to fix" systemic issues: The claim that the government made no attempt to fix systemic cultural issues is contradicted by evidence. The Department of Defence developed comprehensive cultural reform initiatives, compensation schemes, and accountability measures [14]. As of September 2024, the government had closed the Afghanistan Inquiry Report after implementing reforms [15].
Source Credibility Assessment
Guardian Article: The original Guardian link provided (from November 19, 2020) now returns a 404 error, suggesting the URL may be outdated or incorrect. However, the Guardian is a mainstream, reputable news organization with established credibility.
WSWS Source: The second source (wsws.org) is the World Socialist Web Site, a publication with explicit left-wing socialist political alignment [16]. While not inherently disqualifying, this source has a documented ideological lens that may frame issues to emphasize capitalist/government failures.
Junkee Source: Junkee is an Australian news and culture site that published a critical analysis of the meme incident. The article acknowledges the complexity of the situation, including hypocrisy on both sides (Australia's offshore detention practices and China's Uyghur policies) [17]. It provides balanced reporting while noting legitimate criticisms.
Labor Comparison
Did Labor do something similar?
Search conducted: "Labor government war crimes allegations military accountability Australia"
Labor has faced its own military accountability challenges:
Labor under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd committed Australian forces to Afghanistan in 2008, continuing a deployment that began under the Howard government [18]. While not directly responsible for the war crimes (which occurred during both Labor's tenure and the Coalition's tenure between 2005-2016), Labor did not proactively investigate allegations during its 2007-2013 period in government.
Following the Brereton Report's release in November 2020, Labor's response was notably similar to the Coalition's: Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Shadow Minister Penny Wong both called for accountability and "Team Australia" unity against China's criticism, rather than using the meme incident to demand immediate government action [19].
When Labor returned to government in 2022, it committed to "full implementation" of the Brereton Report's remaining recommendations [20]. Defense statement notes that recommendations have been "addressed across the tenure of both Labor and Coalition Governments" [21].
Finding: Labor has not faced equivalent war crimes allegations while in government. Both major parties have handled international military accountability through formal investigations and institutional responses rather than political posturing around symbolic incidents.
Balanced Perspective
Legitimate Criticisms:
The claim raises valid concerns about government response to war crimes:
Initial institutional resistance: The Brereton Report itself documented a "culture of secrecy and cover-up" within Defence, with resistance from within the SAS to truth-telling [22]. An army lawyer, David McBride, faced life imprisonment for whistleblowing, and the ABC was raided and journalists threatened for reporting on war crimes [23].
Slow prosecution pace: While the Office of the Special Investigator was established to investigate and prosecute, as of October 2024, no individuals had been referred for war crimes charges [24]. This suggests investigation progress has been slower than might be hoped.
Cultural reform complexity: Addressing systemic cultural issues in military organizations is notoriously difficult and slow, requiring sustained commitment across multiple governments [25].
Government's Justifications and Actions:
Formal accountability structures: The Morrison government established the OSI specifically to investigate war crimes—this is an institutional accountability mechanism, not inaction [26].
Acceptance of all findings: The Department of Defence accepted all findings of the Brereton Report without defensiveness or denial [27].
Ongoing implementation: The government implemented compensation schemes, reformed training practices, and addressed structural issues identified in the report [28].
Bipartisan continuation: When Labor came to power in 2022, it continued implementation of recommendations, treating this as a national issue rather than a partisan one [29].
Did the Meme Distract?
The claim's core assertion—that the government "used a meme to successfully distract"—is factually incorrect. However, there is a legitimate secondary point: the timing and intensity of the government's response to China's meme may have shifted media focus away from substantive discussion of the war crimes findings. News coverage shifted from accountability mechanisms to diplomatic tensions [30].
However, this reflects normal news cycle dynamics and Chinese government action, not deliberate Coalition distraction. The government's strong response to China's meme was politically necessary (appearing weak on Chinese attacks would have been costly domestically), and the substance of the Brereton findings continued to receive coverage in serious media outlets [31].
PARTIALLY TRUE
4.0
out of 10
The core claim contains a fundamental factual error: the government did not "use" a meme—China posted it as a political attack. The claim correctly identifies that a meme was posted 11 days after the Brereton Report (November 19) and dominated headlines, but incorrectly attributes agency to the Australian government.
However, the claim's assertion about the "government's lack of action" is contradicted by evidence: the government established prosecution mechanisms, accepted all report findings, and implemented institutional reforms [32]. The claim that the government made "no attempt to fix" systemic issues is similarly unsupported—comprehensive cultural and structural reforms were implemented [33].
The claim does raise a legitimate point about institutional resistance to accountability and the pace of prosecutions, but overstates this as complete inaction. The characterization is more consistent with "slow, insufficient progress" rather than "no action."
Final Score
4.0
OUT OF 10
PARTIALLY TRUE
The core claim contains a fundamental factual error: the government did not "use" a meme—China posted it as a political attack. The claim correctly identifies that a meme was posted 11 days after the Brereton Report (November 19) and dominated headlines, but incorrectly attributes agency to the Australian government.
However, the claim's assertion about the "government's lack of action" is contradicted by evidence: the government established prosecution mechanisms, accepted all report findings, and implemented institutional reforms [32]. The claim that the government made "no attempt to fix" systemic issues is similarly unsupported—comprehensive cultural and structural reforms were implemented [33].
The claim does raise a legitimate point about institutional resistance to accountability and the pace of prosecutions, but overstates this as complete inaction. The characterization is more consistent with "slow, insufficient progress" rather than "no action."
📚 SOURCES & CITATIONS (22)
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1
War crimes in Afghanistan: the Brereton Report and the Office of the Special Investigator
Key issue A 2020 report of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force found credible information of war crimes committed by the ADF in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) is investigating these accusations. To date,
Aph Gov -
2
Brereton Report - Wikipedia
Wikipedia -
3
Australia's war crimes in Afghanistan — how could those up the chain ever let this happen?
While Thursday's release of the Brereton report was a huge moment, it actually marks the middle of a process, writes Michelle Grattan.
Abc Net -
4
Statement on the closure of the Afghanistan Inquiry Report
Minister Defence Gov
-
5
China And Australia Are Fighting Over A War Crimes Meme. Here's What You Need To Know
The PM wants the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs to apologise, but they've just doubled down, saying "the Australian Government should do some soul searching".
Junkee -
6
Australia demands apology after China's Zhao Lijian tweets 'falsified image'
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded the Chinese government delete a “repugnant” and “falsified image” on Twitter that appears to show an Australian soldier threatening to slit a child’s throat.
CNN -
7
Tweet storm shows China aims to project power through provocation
On 30 November, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian tweeted an artist’s interpretation of the war crime allegations made against Australian special forces soldiers. The image provoked a strong response from Australian Prime ...
The Strategist -
8
China unleashes fearsome new cyber-weapon: A very provocative meme
This one has Australia, America, even the wine-drinking world angry
Theregister -
9
Special investigator appointed to prosecute Australian soldiers accused of war crimes
A special investigator will be appointed to prosecute allegations of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan as the Government prepares to release a long-awaited report into the conduct of special forces during the conflict.
Abc Net -
10
2020 Brereton Report
(Content Pending) ‘War crimes in Afghanistan: the Brereton Report and the Office of the Special Investigator” by Dr Shannon Torrens, included in the Briefing Book Article, 47th Parliament, June 2022, https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/Briefing_Book/47th_Parliament/BreretonReport Key issue(s): A 2020 report of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force found credible information of war crimes […]
JulianKnight.com.au -
11
Afghanistan panel suggests military top brass be held 'accountable' for war crimes
An independent panel found a lack of accountability from Australia's military top brass over alleged war crimes has generated "anger and bitter resentment" among troops and veterans.
Abc Net -
12
Brereton report on Australian war crimes throws light on a culture of secrecy and cover-up
The Morrison Government has keenly used the military as props, but now horrific war crime revelations must spur more openness from the Government and Defence Force alike, writes Laura Tingle.
Abc Net -
13
Defence closes Afghanistan Inquiry Report
Mr Speaker,In 2016 the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force commissioned a judicial officer, Major General the Honourable Paul Brereton
Mirage News -
14
Defence Department sets out compensation plan for unlawful Afghanistan killings
The Australian government has laid out how it will compensate the families of people found to have been unlawfully killed or abused by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
Abc Net -
15
World Socialist Web Site - About
Wsws
Original link no longer available -
16
China And Australia Are Fighting Over A War Crimes Meme
The PM wants the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs to apologise, but they've just doubled down, saying "the Australian Government should do some soul searching".
Junkee -
17
Australia's involvement in Afghanistan - Wikipedia
En Wikipedia
-
18PDF
War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End?
Australiainstitute Org • PDF Document -
19
Why allegations of war crimes against Australian Defence Force soldiers may not result in prosecutions
Questions are being raised about how alleged war crimes by the Australian Defence Force are investigated, following the response to the Brereton inquiry.
Abc Net -
20PDF
Implementing the Brereton Report Recommendations: Reparations for Afghan Victims of Australian Special Forces Abuses
Acij Org • PDF Document -
21
Special investigator to prosecute alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan
Prime Minister Scott Morrison foreshadowed “difficult and hard news" ahead of the release of a report into the allegations next week.
SBS News -
22
China scores a direct hit against Australia with 'shitpost diplomacy'
Zhao Lijian's 'shitpost' on Twitter provoked exactly the desired reaction from Canberra.
Crikey
Rating Scale Methodology
1-3: FALSE
Factually incorrect or malicious fabrication.
4-6: PARTIAL
Some truth but context is missing or skewed.
7-9: MOSTLY TRUE
Minor technicalities or phrasing issues.
10: ACCURATE
Perfectly verified and contextually fair.
Methodology: Ratings are determined through cross-referencing official government records, independent fact-checking organizations, and primary source documents.