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| Three army personnel suspended over 'emails demeaning women' | Three army personnel suspended over 'emails demeaning women' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Three male army personnel have been suspended over the distribution of demeaning emails to or about female members of the defence force. | Three male army personnel have been suspended over the distribution of demeaning emails to or about female members of the defence force. |
| The chief of the army, Lt Gen David Morrison, announced on Thursday an investigation into behaviour that he called worse than the Skype scandal which is currently before the courts. | The chief of the army, Lt Gen David Morrison, announced on Thursday an investigation into behaviour that he called worse than the Skype scandal which is currently before the courts. |
| While he would not be drawn on the specific content, Morrison said inappropriate and explicit emails containing text and images that demeaned women had been distributed by a group of male defence force members. | While he would not be drawn on the specific content, Morrison said inappropriate and explicit emails containing text and images that demeaned women had been distributed by a group of male defence force members. |
| “Both the text and images are explicit, derogatory, demeaning and are repugnant to me,” said Morrison. | “Both the text and images are explicit, derogatory, demeaning and are repugnant to me,” said Morrison. |
| Morrison said at least some of the text was directed at the women. “They are victims here. They are not in any way shape or form part of what this group has done,” he said. | Morrison said at least some of the text was directed at the women. “They are victims here. They are not in any way shape or form part of what this group has done,” he said. |
| “They are not a group in their own right. They have been targeted by these men.” | “They are not a group in their own right. They have been targeted by these men.” |
| There was also at least one brief reference to illicit drugs in the text of one of the emails, according to Morrison. | There was also at least one brief reference to illicit drugs in the text of one of the emails, according to Morrison. |
| Three defence personnel have been suspended and referred to NSW police. Another five are under consideration for suspension and nine more will be investigated. | Three defence personnel have been suspended and referred to NSW police. Another five are under consideration for suspension and nine more will be investigated. |
| There is also a peripheral group of around 90 personnel who may be implicated. | There is also a peripheral group of around 90 personnel who may be implicated. |
| Defence minister Stephen Smith said on Thursday afternoon he and the government welcomed the “zero tolerance” actions taken by the chief of army. | Defence minister Stephen Smith said on Thursday afternoon he and the government welcomed the “zero tolerance” actions taken by the chief of army. |
| “I strongly support his public statement today that we’re not here dealing with a few bad apples. We’re dealing with a systemic and cultural issue,” said Smith. | “I strongly support his public statement today that we’re not here dealing with a few bad apples. We’re dealing with a systemic and cultural issue,” said Smith. |
| “This is a failure of culture and conduct over a long period of time.” | “This is a failure of culture and conduct over a long period of time.” |
| Smith agreed with Morrison’s assessment that the incident is worse than the Skype scandal because of the age, rank and experience of the men accused in this instance. | Smith agreed with Morrison’s assessment that the incident is worse than the Skype scandal because of the age, rank and experience of the men accused in this instance. |
| The Skype incident involved cadets. | The Skype incident involved cadets. |
| Morrison said earlier the men had been members of the defence force “in excess of 10 years”, and the group included a lieutenant colonel, majors, captains, warrant officers, sergeants and corporals. | Morrison said earlier the men had been members of the defence force “in excess of 10 years”, and the group included a lieutenant colonel, majors, captains, warrant officers, sergeants and corporals. |
| Morrison said he was disgusted and that behaviour that was demeaning and degrading to women was a systemic problem in the defence force. He questioned why parents would entrust daughters to the defence force and why women would want to join if these sorts of things continued. | Morrison said he was disgusted and that behaviour that was demeaning and degrading to women was a systemic problem in the defence force. He questioned why parents would entrust daughters to the defence force and why women would want to join if these sorts of things continued. |
| He said he had spoken to four of the women targeted and would speak to another on Thursday. He said there were several others who he would speak to later. | He said he had spoken to four of the women targeted and would speak to another on Thursday. He said there were several others who he would speak to later. |
| “They are members of the defence force, they are public servants and members of the broader Australian public,” he said. | “They are members of the defence force, they are public servants and members of the broader Australian public,” he said. |
| “Individuals will be held to account for demonstrated misconduct immediately.” | “Individuals will be held to account for demonstrated misconduct immediately.” |
| The matter is under investigation by the ADF and NSW police. The ADF Investigative Service made the chief of the defence force aware of it on 10 April. Morrison himself found out two days later, and the government was informed. | The matter is under investigation by the ADF and NSW police. The ADF Investigative Service made the chief of the defence force aware of it on 10 April. Morrison himself found out two days later, and the government was informed. |
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