Australia has backed the decision not to livestream a US military execution, with Defence Minister Pat Conroy saying there was “no place” for footage of such incidents on the internet.
Speaking on the ABC, Mr Conroy said he was “very relieved” the execution would not be broadcast, adding: “I think like most Australians, I believe there’s no place for the depictions of these sorts of incidents on the internet.”
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the execution of Nadal Hasan would proceed on December 3 but would not be shown publicly. He reversed a proposal put forward by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to livestream the firing squad execution.
The proposal had prompted backlash from international leaders, the United Nations and politicians in the US.
Asked whether the controversy could harm Australia’s relationship with the United States, Mr Conroy dismissed the suggestion as “a pretty long bow to draw”.
He said footage released online could be difficult to remove and added: “It’s something I don’t want any Australian to see, quite frankly.”
Mr Conroy said the US alliance remained the bedrock of Australia’s national security and insisted it was in a strong position.
“It’s supported no matter who is in the White House, and no matter who is the government of Australia, because it’s in both our national interests,” he said.
He added that most Australians understood the value of the alliance, as well as the importance of the government’s “record” investment in defence capabilities to protect national sovereignty.
