Len Roberts-Smith defence taskforce into sex abuse inundated with complaints Minister for Defence, The Hon. Stephen Smith with Brigadier Gus McLachlan at Robertson Barracks, Darwin. A TASKFORCE examining past abuses within the defence force has been inundated with new complaints but indicates a Royal Commission is unlikely. And the number of sexual abuse cases each year within defence is still "of particular concern" according to Defence Minister Stephen Smith. Providing an update to parliament today on systemic abuse within the Defence Force Mr Smith said the hand-picked taskforce - headed up by Len Roberts-Smith the father of VC recipient Ben - has received 1535 new complaints of abuse since November 26. The fresh spate of complaints bring the total to 2410 that will be assessed by the taskforce. However despite the influx the Taskforce does not believe a Royal Commission is appropriate. "The Taskforce is currently of the view that it is by no means clear that a Royal commission is the necessary or most appropriate mechanism," Mr Smith said. Mr Smith said he had directed it give priority to examining the so-called ADFA 24 and events at former navy training establishment HMAS Leeuwin. ADFA 24 relates to allegations of rape from 19 female cadets who attended the Australian Defence Force Academy in the 1990s. Numerous allegations of abuse have emerged from cadets who attended Leeuwin in the 1960s and 70s. Mr Smith said only four of the 19 ADFA complainants had consented to having the taskforce assess their case but others had appeared. "The taskforce now has an additional 48 complainants alleging incidents of physical abuse, sexual abuse, harassment or bullying at ADFA," he said. Several issues were becoming apparent. "Allegations of serious abuse at HMAS Leeuwin and ADFA are more widespread and persistent than was reported in the 1971 Rapke report and in the 1998 Grey review," Mr Smith said. But there were not yet sufficient complainants or detailed information to enable all abusers to be identified. Issues at HMAS Leeuwin and ADFA could also be seen at other defence recruit schools and training institutions. Following the so-called ADFA "Skype scandal" in 2011, Mr Smith commissioned law firm DLA Piper to examine abuse allegations and recommend a government response. In November, the government launched a taskforce, headed by retired West Australian judge Len Roberts-Smith to assess cases, with complainants able to receive up to $50,000 compensation. Mr Smith said the taskforce had now received 2410 complaints, of which 1535 were new. Of the total, 875 came from DLA Piper. Some 330 complaints have been identified as duplicates. The taskforce had started work on 1380 complaints, with eight so far provided to the reparation payment assessor for consideration, Mr Smith said. Opposition defence personnel spokesman Stuart Robert said the litany of abuse allegations was completely unacceptable, let alone by the standards of Australian society or the finest fighting force in the world. ``It is now our responsibility to ensure the wrongs inflicted on these fine men and women of the ADF over the last six decades are addressed," he told parliament.