The federal government has today appointed former Defence Force chief Mark Binskin as its special adviser into the death of an Australian aid worker and six colleagues in Gaza.
Binskin will liaise with the Israeli military over its investigation into the incident earlier this month in which seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, were killed during an airstrike carried out by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
He will advise the Albanese government on the response by Israel to the attack, the IDF policies and procedure for operational incidents, measures taken to hold those responsible to account, if further investigation is required and measures adopted to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Australia has made clear to the Israeli Government our expectation and trust that this engagement will be facilitated,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
“The Special Adviser will provide advice to the Australian Government regarding any further representations or actions that could be taken to ensure a full and transparent investigation and to hold those responsible to account.”
Air Chief Marshall Binskin, a former fighter pilot, was Defence Force chief between 2014 and 2018.
A preliminary investigation by the IDF said the deadly airstrike on the convoy of workers from the World Central Kitchen charity was due to a “misidentification”.
Along with Frankcom, the other aid workers killed included three British citizens, a Polish citizen, and a Canadian-American dual citizen.
Their Palestinian driver also died during the airstrike.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was a “strong need” for a transparent investigation into what led to the airstrike.
