Fed: Trooper pleased complaints about ADF to be probed

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Fed: Trooper pleased complaints about ADF to be probed

PERTH, April 4 AAP - An SAS soldier who was shot in a militia ambush in East Timorsaid today he was pleased Defence Minister Robert Hill would investigate his treatmentby the army.

Senator Hill has promised to investigate a complaint by SAS soldier Ron Juric, whotold ABC radio yesterday that he had received virtually no support from the AustralianDefence Force (ADF) since being wounded.

Trooper Juric was one of two SAS soldiers wounded when their vehicle was ambushed bymilitia forces outside Suai, near the West Timor border, on October 6, 1999.

He was shot twice in the leg and wrist while another soldier was shot in the neck.

Trooper Juric told ABC radio today he was pleased to hear the minister had agreed tolook into his complaint.

"Yes, I am. It's taken a while, but finally someone is prepared to listen," Trooper Juric said.

Trooper Juric said no one from the ADF had contacted him since his complaint was aired,but he had heard on the news that he would not be disciplined for talking to the media.

The ADF yesterday said Trooper Juric had been given extensive support from the headquartersof special operations and from the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) itself.

Special Forces commander Brigadier Duncan Lewis said Trooper Juric had been affordedevery possible support since his injury in Timor several years ago.

"Trooper Juric was served notice recently that, because of his injury, he would nolonger be suitable for military service on physical grounds and he really has a numberof options in front of him at present," he said.

"There is some possibility he may improve, but that would be slim, he may choose tochange his trade mustering within the defence force, and that's an option open to him,or he may elect to discharge."

"Really the matter now is up to Trooper Juric to make a decision as to which way hesees his future going."

AAP lk/alm/las/de

KEYWORD: JURIC