Australia Will Allow Female Soldiers In Combat Roles

Australia Lifts Ban On Women In Military Combat Roles -- BBC

Australia has lifted all restrictions on the roles that women can carry out in its armed forces.

Suitably-qualified female soldiers will be able to serve in the special forces and front-line combat units.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the ban would be lifted immediately but may take up to five years to implement. Critics described the move as premature and a gimmick.

Canada, New Zealand and Israel already allow women in all military roles.

Australia's military has about 59,000 full-time members, including 1,500 who are serving in Afghanistan.

Currently women are eligible for about 93% of roles, including artillery duties.

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More News On Australia Lifting The Ban On Women In Military Combat Roles

Australia women allowed to take on frontline military role -- The Telegraph
Australia to let women fight on the front line -- The Independent
Women win their battle to fight on the front line -- The Australian
Australia to end ban on women in combat -- Reuters
Australia Says It Will Open Combat Roles to Women -- New York Times
Australia opens frontline combat roles to women -- AFP
Australia lifts ban on women in military combat roles -- BBC
Australian women to serve on front line -- Financial Times
Australia to Allow Female Soldiers in Combat Roles -- IBTimes

Women Will Be Permitted To Serve On The Front Line In The Austalian Military

Women May Get Right To Die For Their Country In Australia Army -- The Telegraph

A ban on Australian women serving in front-line combat positions could be lifted following a review of women's treatment in the army as a result of a sex scandal.

Women are allowed to fill many military roles in the Australian armed forces but are excluded from the most dangerous and demanding, including in the special forces and rifle companies.

But Stephen Smith, the defence minister, said this rule could be abolished after the defence force announced a series of reviews into the treatment of women after young a female cadet was filmed without her knowledge while having sex at Australia's elite military academy.

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Update: That's one battle won: Frontline ban lifted for women soldiers -- News.com.au

My Comment: Will there be some takers .... probably. What will be the end result of women serving in FOBs .... I guess we will soon be finding out.