Australian army investigating alleged bullying and harassment at Sydney University regiment

The Australian army is investigating allegations of bullying and harassment of officer cadets at the Sydney University regiment.

A defence spokesperson confirmed the investigation to Guardian Australia and said it would not tolerate “unacceptable behaviour”.

Guardian Australia understands the allegations include claims of verbal abuse and inappropriate comments by superiors; men conducting searches of women’s rooms, including their underwear drawers; and a nearly three-month period in which cadets were forced to work seven days a week with no days off.

Questions have also been raised about whether dozens of room searches were done without the necessary warrants, and about the basis for disciplinary charges laid against officer cadets after those searches.

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The Sydney University regiment – which operates at Sydney’s Holsworthy Barracks and several other locations – manages and delivers full-time training to army reserve officer cadets and army gap year officer cadets.

The Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie raised the matter briefly at a Senate estimates hearing on 2 June, asking whether the chief of army, Rick Burr, was aware of “bullying and harassment” allegations at the Sydney University regiment.

At the time of the exchange, Burr said: “I’m not aware of that, senator, but wherever there might be any suggestions of unacceptable behaviour they are investigated.”

However in response to further questions about the matter, a defence spokesperson said: “The Australian army is aware of allegations raised at Senate estimates. Army has commenced enquiries into these allegations.”

The spokesperson added that all defence personnel were “expected to behave in accordance with the defence values and behaviours”.

“Defence does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour and takes action when unacceptable behaviour occurs,” the spokesperson said.

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It is understood the enquiries are being conducted by colonel Steve Brumby, the deputy brigade commander of the army’s 8th Brigade, and that they were under way before the matter came up at Senate estimates.

But Lambie said the allegations were sufficiently serious that they should be investigated by the joint military police unit. That would ensure the exercise was seen as independent, she said.

“The investigation needs to be done as independently as possible, so it needs to be taken out of the colonel’s hands,” she said.

“That report, because it is so disturbing, needs to be put to the minister for defence as soon as possible.”

Asked if she was worried the findings could be buried, Lambie vowed to continue to press the matter with defence officials.

“I’m not worried that this will be swept under the carpet because I’m aware of it now and I’m not going away,” she said.

Guardian Australia provided the defence media unit with a summary of all of the allegations mentioned in this article, offering it a chance to clarify any of the factual material. A spokesperson replied that defence had “nothing further to add” to the previous response and was unable to make additional comments “as this is an ongoing investigation”.