The commander of Australia’s deadliest warship has resigned following an alleged drunken incident that caused international embarrassment for the navy.
Commander Kingsley Scarce was relieved of his command of HMAS Brisbane, Australia’s deadliest warship, last September.
The $3 billion guided missile destroyer was docked in Cairns at the time and an internal complaint was made against it from within the ADF.
Commander Scarce was accused of drinking excessive alcohol at sea and embarrassing Australia at an international event involving US defense personnel.
The allegations were reportedly so serious that Commander Scarce was immediately dismissed and an interim replacement appointed.
Five months later, the ADF is still investigating the matter, although 9News He was told that a court-martial was not expected even if the allegations were found to be true.
The Australian Defense Force has been rocked by allegations of a drunken episode that caused international embarrassment to the Navy. Pictured is HMAS Brisbane.
The complaint against Commander Scarce, son of former South Australian Governor Kevin Scarce, came after his alleged conduct was reported to Commodore Mick Harris, Australia’s Director General of Maritime Operations.
In 2023, following the Brereton report on war crimes, the ADF banned the consumption of alcohol on operations or exercises.
Alcohol consumption in “non-war operations” is limited to two drinks, but that only with approval and on national holidays.
Last August, a month before Commander Scarce’s suspension, HMAS Brisbane took part in Malabar, a naval exercise that also included US, Japanese and Indian forces.
In an interview at the time, he said: “One good thing about exercises like Malabar is that we can understand people on the other end of the systems, how they think, how they speak, because even though we speak English, we don’t speak English.” I don’t necessarily speak the same type of English.
‘It can even be something as simple as talking to some of my American colleagues and saying, “Do you want to go have a beer?”
‘I’m talking about coffee, they’re talking about beer. I am happy with both results. But it is very important that we understand the language you use and what we really mean when we talk to each other.’
While her commander, HMAS Brisbane also participated in Talisman Sabre, an Australian-US led training exercise involving 30,000 personnel from 13 countries.
The warship was involved in search and rescue efforts after a Taipan helicopter crashed off Lindeman Island in Queensland on July 28, killing four airmen.
Channel Nine’s Andrew Probyn said some crew members saw Commander Scarce abandon the warship while it was in Cairns port on September 18.
Commander Kingsley Scarce (pictured) was relieved of his command of HMAS Brisbane, Australia’s deadliest warship, last September.
The ship set sail for Darwin that same day ahead of a three-month tour of Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Guam.
It was on scene in international waters near Japan when a Chinese warship “pinged” HMAS Toowoomba on 14 November.
The ADF confirmed that one member had been stood down, but did not name Commander Scarce.
“There is no place for unacceptable behavior or behavior within Defence,” said an ADF spokeswoman.
“All allegations of unacceptable behavior are taken very seriously and are thoroughly investigated following due process.”
Former senator Rex Patrick said the ADF was too secretive.
“Our Defense Forces are extremely opaque, unnecessarily opaque,” said the former submariner.
‘The defense must be open with the Australian public if it is to gain their trust.
‘It’s a really important arm of government. It receives tens of billions of dollars in public funding. “We need to have confidence in the way the defense carries out its responsibilities and functions.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Commander Scarce for comment through the ADF.
Former senator Rex Patrick (pictured) said the ADF was too secretive. “Our Defense Force is extremely opaque, unnecessarily opaque,” said the former submariner.