This week marks the 60th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the universal body of laws governing war conduct.

A new poll by the Australian Red Cross has found not only do a significant proportion of Australians - 35 percent - doubt the effectiveness of the Geneva Conventions, but over 40 percent are OK with the torture of captured enemy soldiers to gather military information.

Red Cross's strategic advisor on international law, Helen Durham, says the figures show there are still some strides to be made in improving understanding of the Geneva Conventions among Australians.

2ser’s Biwa Kwan reports.