The Daily Telegraph editorial: The Army’s new war on words

FIRST it was a directive prohibiting soldiers from wearing so-called “death” symbols — including the Phantom character — now Army chiefs have issued another order — don’t use terms like “him” or “her” to avoid offending LGBTI people.

AUSTRALIA’S Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, earlier this year issued a directive prohibiting soldiers from wearing so-called “death” symbols.

Among those symbols was the Phantom, a cartoon character who appears in this newspaper. Displaying such imagery was, Lieutenant General Campbell declared, “always ill-considered and implicitly encourages the inculcation of an arrogant hubris and general disregard for the most serious responsibility of our profession; the legitimate and discriminate take of life.

“As soldiers our purpose is to serve the state, employing violence with humility always and compassion wherever possible. This symbology to which I refer erodes this ethos of service.”

Or, alternatively, it doesn’t.

Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC. Picture: Gary Ramage

Army chiefs have now issued another order, this time telling soldiers they shouldn’t use terms like “him” or “her” so they don’t offend members of the LGBTI community.

“Use gender-neutral language when referring to relationships or gender identities,” instructs a language guide written by the Australian Defence Force ­Academy.

“In the event you make a mistake, the best course of action is to apologise, listen to anything the member wishes to say in response and then move on with the conversation.”

If you dare. Conversations in the armed forces sound more difficult to negotiate than a Long Tan minefield.

“Gender expression refers to the way that people demonstrate gender identity externally and normally through a combination of typically masculine, feminine or androgynous traits,” the guide continues.

“Misgendering can have a significant effect on transgender individuals as it is often an expression of a lack of understanding of acceptance of that person’s identity.”

This may be the case, but it remains reasonable to ask why the issue has become such a priority within our armed forces. Surely there are more vital training programs to pursue — training programs that are directly related to the central role of our military, which is to protect Australians from weapons rather than words. Leaving aside any concerns about the softening of our soldiers, there is the more simple matter of time being spent on issues that might be less vital overall to maintaining a functioning military.

Changing our language in the name of inclusiveness may be a worthwhile aim. The more pressing concern, however, should be improving the aim of our fighting men and women in combat.

TOLL DODGERS RULE OUR ROADS

FOR better or worse, road tolls are a way of life in Sydney.

With some drivers, however, dodging those tolls is a way of life. And the vast majority of toll evaders aren’t penalised.

Of 256,000 serial toll dodgers in 2016, only 3103 were sent a $184 fine.

To put it another way, if you make a habit of toll evasion there is nearly a 99 per cent chance you’ll get away with it.

Honest drivers must wonder why they’ve gone to the trouble of applying for an e-tag.

NEWTOWN THE PLACE TO GO

KINGS Cross has been crossed out. Sydney’s demimonde now heads for Newtown of an evening, where the rules are a little more relaxed and people can cheerfully wander from venue to venue.

“Newtown is undeniably Sydney’s new entertainment quarter,” hospitality executive Justine Baker said. “People love bar-hopping and going to several places in one night. Newtown offers that variety.”

Young revellers at the Marlborough Hotel in Newtown. Picture: Instagram

Variety has always been a Newtown feature, but Baker points out that the area has become “more popular than ever since the lockout laws” now enforced in the Cross.

The effect of those lockout laws and other changes may be measured by the decline in human traffic. In a past era, the Cross would receive some 24,000 a night. Even just two years ago, Saturday night crowds ran at 8000. Now numbers are down to fewer than 5000. By dramatic contrast, visitors to Newtown of a Saturday evening are among more than 36,000 like-minded revellers. The place is thriving. It might just be time for authorities to ease up a little on Kings Cross.