Australia apologises to military victims of abuse

CANBERRA (AP) - Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith apologised on Monday to military personnel past and present who were sexually abused or otherwise mistreated during their service.

He also started an inquiry into hundreds of allegations of abuse over six decades.

Mr Smith made the apology in Parliament on behalf of the government as the latest step in a two-year effort to reform the culture of the Australian military and make it more accepting of women.

"Young men and women have suffered treatment which no member of our defence force or our community generally should experience," Mr Smith said.