The Defence Department says it will deal with the disciplinary matters from a war crimes report before the end of the year. 

Defence has released a four-year plan to address extensive failings exposed by the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry.

The plan includes a commitment to determine whether war medals should be stripped from soldiers.

It was quietly posted on the website of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force on Friday, July 30, but was not accompanied by any public statement or media release.

The Brereton inquiry last year revealed credible evidence that Australian soldiers killed 39 Afghan civilians or prisoners in an unlawful manner. The inquiry highlighted a destructive “warrior culture” within Australia’s special forces, with a “clique of non-commissioned officers who propagated it”.

Chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell and Defence secretary Greg Moriarty said in the opening of their response to the report that Defence accepts responsibility for the “failings in systems, culture and accountability”.

“Misconduct as serious as that identified and alleged by the Afghanistan Inquiry cannot occur unless there have been serious and systemic organisational and cultural failings,” they said.

“These failings created an environment which allowed Defence’s proud and respected reputation, earned by our professional and ethical personnel over decades, to be damaged by the actions of a few.”

The Afghanistan Inquiry Reform Plan includes a series of “work packages” to address the recurring behaviours identified, flaggin possible criminal, disciplinary and administrative action. 

Defence says it is “well-advanced” in efforts to address 100 recommendations to either refer soldiers for criminal action, discipline or other “workforce management” action.

The department claims civil disciplinary matters should be addressed by mid-year, and that all matters relating to criminal action or immunity from prosecution have been referred to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

It also says it will decide this year on whether it will strip awards and honours from unworthy recipients.

Defence chief General Angus Campbell earlier this year moved to strip a ‘meritorious unit citation’ from over 3,000 members who served with the Special Operations Task Group between 2007 and 2013, but was blocked by Defence Minister Peter Dutton. 

It is believed that Defence will uphold Mr Dutton's decision, but will address six other recommendations relating to individual's honours and awards.