Issue Of The Week
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday March 26, 2008
The Federal Government is looking for ways to diversify the Australian Defence Force so it more closely reflects the wider population.
Warren Snowdon, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, says female, indigenous and overseas-born Australians are under-represented in the army, navy and air force. Women make up only 12 to 13 per cent of defence force personnel despite 90 per cent of jobs being open to them, including front-line roles flying aircraft and serving on ships and submarines.The military's under-representation of Australia's ethnic groups is shown by a 2003 Defence census finding that 87 per cent of serving personnel were Australian-born, compared with 70.9 per cent of the general population. Indigenous Australians are estimated to comprise 0.6 per cent of personnel in the forces.To encourage more indigenous recruits, the government will build on the contact between Aborigines in some remote communities and army units. Already, indigenous Australians account for 48 per cent of Norforce, the 570-strong regional surveillance unit based in Darwin. Snowdon says: "I think we have to look at our entry requirements and free things up, but not lower our standards."For example, recruits with minor convictions will now be accepted into the defence force and some medical requirements may be relaxed slightly.Another recruiting strategy is to identify advocates among young people in the forces who would communicate with their friends and peer groups. The military gap year, introduced by the previous government for school leavers, should promote this goal.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald