Soldiers still losing their soles

Soldiers are still losing their soles, of their boots that is.

Liberal National Party senator Ian Macdonald had hoped the problem was fixed.

But it surfaced again at the weekend as soldiers from the Army's Townsville-based 3rd Brigade paraded through the city, with some leaving behind the soles of their Chinese-made parade boots.

This first happened in 2010, prompting defence to look to Australian firm RM Williams for boots that wouldn't come apart under tropical conditions.

"The problem, it seemed, was solved," the senator said in a statement on Monday.

But, apparently in the interests of uniformity, the old boots were worn at the weekend, he said.

"Sadly, but inevitably, a number of soles were left behind."

Senator Macdonald said the Chinese-made boots were being gradually replaced but it appeared many remained in use.

"I am shocked that we would put our fighting men and women through this needless embarrassment" he said.