Australian troops in Afghanistan have been accused of mistreating a number of Taliban detainees.
Defence says our commanders have ordered an immediate investigation and we always take these kind of claims extremely seriously.
ABC Radio reports the allegations were made by four members of the Taliban, who were captured after Australian soldier Jason Marks was killed during a battle in southern Oruzgan province last month.
The ABC says a senior Afghan commander in the south passed on the allegation during a meeting of local commanders and used the word "mistreated" not "abused".
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says he'll get a report on the outcome of the investigation will be reported to him.
He says Australia takes any suggestions of misconduct by our combat forces in the field very seriously.