Hastie Backs Women in Uniform, But Holds the Line on Standards

Hastie rejected claims women lowered ADF standards, saying one standard applies to all, regardless of gender, and every role is open to all Australians.
Hastie Backs Women in Uniform, But Holds the Line on Standards
Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie (R) speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 4, 2024. AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has reaffirmed that anyone who meets the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) standards should be allowed to serve—regardless of gender—as debate reignites over his past comments about women in frontline roles.

“The one thing that we will insist on is high standards, because in combat, there’s no points for second place, so we need to be able to win every fight that we go into,” he said.

Naziya Alvi Rahman
Naziya Alvi Rahman
Author
Naziya Alvi Rahman is a Canberra-based journalist who covers political issues in Australia. She can be reached at [email protected].