Tripping fears stop Royal Australian Navy personnel marching in Anzac Day Dawn Service

Royal Australian Navy personnel have been stopped from marching at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in case they trip in the dark.

Royal Australian Navy personnel have been stopped from marching at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in case they trip in the dark.

The order comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed Royal Australian Navy top brass have told personnel that they need to conduct all operations through a “gender perspective” that considers the impact of their actions on women.

Yesterday it was revealed that naval personnel would not march at the Greenwell Point Anzac Day march near Nowra because of occupational health and safety concerns regarding light issues. The decision could be rolled out across the country.

Navy personnel will not march at the Greenwell Point Anzac Day march near Nowra because of occupational health and safety concerns. Picture: Alan Lancaster

Former army officer Bernard Gaynor said: “The ­original Anzacs would be rolling their eyes at this latest insanity.

“One can only wonder what will become of our nation when military officers consider it too dangerous to march on Anzac Day.

“I feel sorry for navy personnel who would be completely embarrassed by this decision. It should be overturned immediately.”

RAN personnel have marched at Greenwell Point for the last 30 years in a 450m parade from the main street to Anzac Park.

But now a Defence spokesman has confirmed to media that personnel from HMAS Albatross will be taking part but instead of marching will be formed up at the park with a guest speaker, catafalque party and flag bearers.

The spokesman confirmed “safety was a factor in the decision not to march” to the service.

“The instruction to HMAS Albatross personnel, while different to what may have occurred in the past, has been provided cognisant of procedures traditionally observed by service personnel attending dawn services, and the particular physical and environmental conditions expected at Greenwell Point on April 25, 2019,” the spokesman said. “Local commanders are responsible to ensure that risks to members on duty are reduced as reasonably practicable for dawn services across Australia.”

This week The Daily Telegraph revealed air force pilots are being told to think about the “gender perspective” of destroying a bridge being used by enemy troops if it means nearby women will have to walk further to collect firewood and water.

The “Gender in Air Operations” doctrine told pilots that bombing the bridge “may provide a military advantage against the enemy” but it could also mean women had to “travel further afield, on unfamiliar and less secure … routes to gather water and firewood”.

It has been followed by the Navy’s decision to adopt the same United Nations-inspired “Women, Peace and Security Agenda” for operations.