Defence Force chief Angus Campbell says he was “discomforted” by a video posted to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's social media channels about the government’s response to this summer’s bushfires.
Senate Estimates heard Mr Campbell raised the matter personally with Mr Morrison after hearing of public backlash against the video.
The video, authorised by the Prime Minister himself, was posted to Mr Morrison's social channels on 4 January and used images of the Defence Force assisting fire-affected communities.
Mr Campbell said he spoke directly to Mr Morrison to offer his advice despite seeing no "ill-intent" in the actions.
“Whenever the Australian Defence Force or any other apolitical body finds itself between political parties - I am discomforted,” he told the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
“I don’t suggest there was intentionality in that circumstance, but the Australian Defence Force, in particular, needs to wherever possible and always be non-partisan both in reality and perception.”
The video drew fresh scrutiny during Senate Estimates with Labor Senators Penny Wong and Kimberley Kitching questioning whether approval for use of the footage had been sought from the Department of Defence.
Senate Estimates heard Defence did not authorise the use, despite copyright rules requiring the department’s written permission to use its media in advertisements.
Department of Defence Secretary, Greg Moriarty, said no authorisation was sought and none had been provided - but noted the government did not view it as being required.
"Approval was not sought, nor was it given," he said.
The video said the Federal Government was deploying up to 3,000 Defence Force reservists in response to the crisis.
It included details of the defence ships and aircraft that have been deployed along with funding allocated for firefighting planes, volunteer firefighters and those who lost homes or incomes.
Chief of the Australian Defence Force (CDF) General Angus Campbell (right) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said authorisation was not sought because it wasn’t needed.
“As the Prime Minister has said and I have said, it wasn’t a party political advertisement. It was a video from the Prime Minister providing information on the government’s response to the bushfires,” she said.
At the time, the Liberals also put out another post with the video and included a donation link for the party.
The non-partisan Australia Defence Association were among those to accuse the government of breaching rules around political advertising.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan also condemned the video as a "self-promotional commercial with cheesy elevator music."
Former Prime Minister Keven Rudd said Mr Morrison had released a Liberal party ad in the middle of a time of national crisis.
Mr Morrison was quizzed during Question Time about the chief of the Defence Force raising the matter with him personally.
The Prime Minister said the Liberal Party “did not post an advertisement” and he had simply observed the requirements of the Australian Electoral Act.
Mr Morrison said he would not discuss private conversations had with the chief of the Defence Force.
“I talk to the chief of the Defence Force very regularly, Mr Speaker, and when I have private discussions with the chief of the Defence Force, I respect those private discussions,” he said.
“When he raises whether these issues or any other issues, I always respect and thank him very much for the advice that he provides me with those matters.”
