Defense Minister Orders Review Amid Reports Of Military Personnel Being Sought By China

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles has ordered the defense dept. to review laws governing retired military personnel over concerns that former soldiers are being sought by China to provide training, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

On Wednesday, Marles said that enough evidence had been gathered to warrant a “detailed examination into the adequacy of current defense policies and procedures.”

Under current law, former military personnel are banned from providing military-style training with any connection to a foreign government, unless the training is authorized by Australian authorities.

Last month, the defense minister ordered a probe into reports that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was seeking to recruit former Australian personnel to become military trainers.

The move came after it was revealed that dozens of former British Royal Air Force pilots were serving as instructors in China.

The defense dept. expects to deliver its findings by Dec. 14.