The Australian Defence Force is moving closer to allowing women to fight alongside men on the frontline, as physical strength rather than gender could determine who does what in the military.
A new study will work out what physical requirements will be needed to be fit for all jobs in the defence force, irrespective of gender.
The research will help ensure that those who lack the necessary strength and endurance, such as those overweight and unfit, are kept out of jobs which require a high level of fitness.
The move could potentially lead to the decision to lift gender restrictions on frontline combat roles in the military.
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personal, announced a $2.5 million Centre of Expertise with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the University of Wollongong, and will assess the physical requirements of tasks in the army followed by the air force and navy.
Mr Combet said: “This work being undertaken will help further inform the ADF about the suitability of all people, regardless of gender, age or rank, to serve in positions throughout the ADF,”
He said the government would evaluate the results.
Women can serve in 92 percent of defence force roles, but still excluded from some frontline combat roles such as infantry, artillery and combat engineers.
Executive director of the Australian Defence Association, Neil James, said women were already active in combat roles and occasionally were required to kill enemy soldiers.
He went on to say that women are restricted from certain roles as it would result in a “disproportionate number of female casualties”.
Thanks to the Herald Sun for the above quotes. For more information on this article visit their website.