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5d ago

Andrew Hastie Reaffirms Support for Women in ADF Combat Roles While Standing by 2018 Remarks

The Coalition disendorsed a candidate over exclusionary comments as Hastie and Dutton emphasize commitment to gender-inclusive military policies.

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Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has defended his views on women serving in combat roles, saying "I said what I said".

Overview

  • Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie confirmed that under a Dutton-led Coalition government, all Australians, including women, would remain eligible for ADF combat roles.
  • Hastie stood by his 2018 statement that combat units are best preserved as exclusively male but clarified that this was a personal view based on his military experience.
  • The Liberal Party disendorsed Benjamin Britton as a candidate after his remarks advocating the removal of women from combat roles to 'fix' defence standards.
  • Peter Dutton reiterated his record as Defence Minister supporting women in all ADF roles and affirmed this policy would continue under his leadership.
  • Women have been eligible for all ADF combat and combat-support roles since 2013, marking a significant shift in military inclusivity and standards.