Navy sacks sailors over Facebook comments

The navy has dismissed several sailors for making inappropriate and anti-Islamic comments about asylum seekers on social media.

The sackings, revealed on Tuesday, come after the navy launched an internal investigation following reports some sailors involved in Operation Sovereign Borders had posted anti-Islamic comments on social media.

Media reports in January also claimed at least 20 sailors were members of the Australian Defence League, an anti-Islamic organisation affiliated with the violent group, the English Defence League.

The investigation found that while no serving member of the navy was a member of the Australian Defence League, a number of personnel did have affiliations with various social media groups not consistent with navy values.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said the Australian Defence Force's social media policy was clear that no-one should post offensive material based on a person's race or religion.

The statement said several sailors had their employment terminated or had been issued with notices of cause for termination.

A number of other sailors had received sanctions, including being issued with a formal warning.