Page 4476 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 19 November 1991
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that government policy does not allow women to fill combat positions. There are numerous non-combat roles in the RAAF and the Navy which women can perform; but it would appear that this particular program, with all the benefits that it provides - education and additional possibilities for future employment - will not be available to a large number of important representatives of our community.
As I have already indicated, women are performing non-combat roles in the infantry, which, as we all know, is considered to be one of the most combat orientated corps of the Army. Therefore, I would see little justification for the total exclusion of women from the RAAF and the Navy Ready Reserve schemes.
In relation to discrimination, it would also seem that in the Air Force the only people who are going to be able to have access to this program are those who are prepared to participate in the Armed Defence Unit, which protects Air Force bases. Once again, we can see a degree of discrimination because we can now argue that anyone else, male or female, who wants to participate in this scheme is not able to do so; they are not able to serve in this scheme in other parts of the defence forces.
On that basis, it would seem that, because of this very far-thinking legislation, the Australian Government may have to do some quick and fancy footwork to bring in its own legislation or do something about the influence of this legislation on members, male and female, of the Defence Force or people who wish to seek a career in the Defence Force and subsequently within civilian life via this Defence Force Ready Reserve scheme.
I think it is a very interesting issue. Once again, despite all the smart comments that have been made against us in the past by various people outside, the ACT is producing far-thinking, far-reaching legislation. When the history of the First Assembly of the ACT is written, I think there will be much said about the far-thinking and important legislation which has been passed by it and which on occasions has been seen to be less than important. I think this sort of legislation - the weapons legislation is another example - shows that the ACT political group can lead this country. With those remarks and at this late hour, I think it is appropriate to conclude.
MR STEVENSON (10.39): I agree that a society in which people accept each other without regard for race, colour or creed would be better. I do not believe that this Bill, particularly in its current form, would achieve that goal. I believe that, if passed, it would create thousands of new law-breakers; indeed, it would create discrimination against many individuals and groups, however unmeant that may be.
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