The commander of Australia’s deadliest warship has been fired after an alleged drunken incident that caused an international embarrassment for the Navy.
Commander Kingsley Scarce was relieved of his command of HMAS Brisbane, Australia’s most deadly 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 the ADF.
Commander Scarce was accused of drinking alcohol to excess while at sea and embarrassing Australia at an international event involving US defense personnel.
The allegations were reportedly so serious that Commander Scarce was immediately ousted and an interim replacement installed.
Five months later, the ADF is still investigating the matter 9News was told that no court-martial is expected even if the allegations turn out to be true.
The Australian Defense Force has been rocked by allegations of a drunken episode that caused the Navy an international embarrassment. HMAS Brisbane is pictured
The complaint against Commander Scarce, the 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 war crimes report, the ADF banned drinking alcohol during operations or exercises.
Consuming alcohol during ‘non-belligerent operations’ is limited to two drinks, but only with permission and on national holidays.
Last August, the month before Commander Scarce was suspended, HMAS Brisbane took part in Malabar, a naval exercise that also included American, Japanese and Indian forces.
In an interview at the time, he said: ‘One good thing about exercises like Malabar is that we get to understand the people on the other side of the systems, how they think, how they talk, because while we may speak English, we don’t. ‘ I don’t necessarily speak the same kind of English.
‘It could even be something as simple as talking to some of my American colleagues and saying, “Would you like to go for a beer?”
‘I’m talking about coffee, she’s talking about beer. I’m happy with both outcomes. But it is very important that we understand the language you use and what we actually mean when we talk to each other.’
While he was Commander, HMAS Brisbane also took part in Talisman Sabre, an Australian-US led training exercise involving 30,000 personnel from 13 countries.
The warship was involved in the 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 harbor on September 18.
Commander Kingsley Scarce (pictured) was relieved of command of HMAS Brisbane, Australia’s most deadly warship, last September
The ship left for Darwin later that day for a three-month voyage to Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Guam.
It was on site in international waters near Japan when HMAS Toowoomba was ‘pinged’ by a Chinese warship on 14 November.
The ADF confirmed that a member had stood down but did not name Commander Scarce.
“There is no place for unacceptable behavior within Defense,” an ADF spokeswoman said.
“All allegations of unacceptable behavior are taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated in accordance with due process.”
Former senator Rex Patrick said the ADF was too secretive.
“Our force is extremely opaque, unnecessarily opaque,” the ex-sub said.
“Defense must be open with the Australian public if they want to earn their trust.
‘It is a very important branch of government. It receives tens of billions of dollars in public funding. We must have confidence in the way in which Defense carries out its responsibilities and functions.’
Daily Mail Australia contacted Commander Scarce through the ADF for comment.
Former senator Rex Patrick (pictured) said the ADF was too secretive. “Our force is extremely opaque, unnecessarily opaque,” the ex-sub said