As new allegations emerged that the 18-year-old female cadet, ''Kate'', was subjected to humiliating slurs and insults by colleagues the day after she contacted Channel Ten with her story, the rift in the Defence hierarchy and the government deepened yesterday.

A former high-ranking military officer told The Sun-Herald that Australian Defence Force Academy commandant Bruce Kafer's position was widely accepted as ''untenable''.

''It may take some time … but there is really no way he can survive this,'' said the source, who did not want to be named.

''Someone's head will have to roll and it is pretty clear Commodore Kafer has had his head put on the chopping block.''

Mr Smith declined requests to discuss the new allegations yesterday, in contrast to his fiery comments and condemnation of his department's handling of the case during the week. The Australian Defence Force would not comment either.

After repeated inquiries, The Sun-Herald was told Mr Smith stood by his statements of last week, in which he strongly criticised Commodore Kafer's handling of the case.

Defence was thrown into crisis when the cadet went public with details of her story, alleging a sexual encounter with a male cadet was secretly filmed 12 days ago and the footage broadcast on Skype to fellow students.

When the female cadet approached senior management, she was allegedly informed that the culprits were likely to get off with a relatively minor ''prejudicial conduct'' charge.

She then approached Channel Ten, in desperation, to tell her story.

The next day it was revealed that she had been advised to publicly apologise to her fellow cadets, and during a meeting cadets yelled out ''name and shame the dirty slut''.

She was then summonsed to address disciplinary proceedings on unrelated matters.

Mr Smith labelled Defence officials "insensitive or completely stupid" for convening the disciplinary tribunal, and repeatedly refused to condone Commodore Kafer's actions.

However, a former top brass also told The Sun-Herald it was ''a dangerous path for politicians to interfere in Defence disciplinary matters'' and Mr Smith had ''spoken before gaining the full nature of the case''.

Defence Chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said he was ''shocked'' by the scandal and pledged the matter would be ''fully investigated and those that are found to have failed in their responsibilities will be dealt with accordingly''.

Adair Donaldson, a solicitor who has helped develop training resources for organisations like the NRL, and who was an army reservist for 23 years, said sexual harassment training at the ADF was inadequate.

Academic Nina Funnell, who runs courses on sexual ethics for NRL players, said a report by Channel 10's Hugh Riminton, published in The Australian yesterday, that ''Kate'' had been called a ''slut'' in front of her cadet class was ''appalling behaviour''.

''I'm actually not surprised to see this going on. We know in organisations like the ADF, cadets are taught to bond and operate as a pack, so if one member goes against this they are immediately ostracised,'' she said.

The female cadet has taken leave of absence to be with her family.

with Alicia Wood