Director-General’s Opening Statement, Budget Estimates 2026-27

Opening statement to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Budget Estimates 2026-27

Director-General, Chris Moraitis PSM

Thank you chair.

I would like to provide a brief update on the progress of our work. In order to ensure the integrity of ongoing investigations and prosecutions, I am limited in the information I can provide.

The OSI’s joint investigation with the AFP—Operation Emerald— continues to make significant progress. Of the 53 investigations initiated, 39 matters are no longer under active investigation, subject to any new evidence emerging. Ten matters continue as active investigations.

To date, our investigations have resulted in two former Australian Special Forces soldiers being charged with a total of six counts of War Crime – Murder.

We remain committed to finalising the remaining active investigations as expeditiously as possible, cognisant of the impact on those involved and the broader Defence community. However, these are exceptionally complex matters to investigate.

Thank you.

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In the spirit of reconciliation the Office of the Special Investigator acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.