Bernardi detractors ‘inconsistent’ on female frontline soldiers

Cory Bernardi says those criticising him for saying women should not be allowed to serve in frontline combat should look to professional sports.

Australian Conservatives Leader Senator Cory Bernardi has hit back at those critical of his call to keep women from frontline combat. Picture: AAP.

Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi has hit back at criticisms levelled at him for saying women should not be allowed to serve in frontline combat, arguing his detractors were inconsistent as they were not arguing women and men should compete in sporting competitions together.

Liberal senator Linda Reynolds, who was Australia’s first woman brigadier in the Army Reserve, branded Senator Bernardi a “complete and utter disgrace” after he said women in combat could pose risks to the nation’s national security.

Senator Bernardi said this morning Senator Reynolds was not arguing for sexual equality in other areas of society.

Cory Bernardi says his detractors weren’t arguing for equality in professional sports. Picture: Getty Images.

“I didn’t see Senator Reynolds respond to the point that we don’t allow women to nominate for the AFL men’s draft,” Senator Bernardi told Sky News.

“They want to make it OK for women to serve in a combat role in the ADF and remove any discrimination in that respect but they won’t do it in sport, I find that most unusual.

“And you know why they won’t do it? Because you are equipped with different things in this circumstance; it is more dangerous for a woman to participate in the men’s AFL competition than otherwise.

“You are removing the celebration of the things that make us different as men and women, we are complimentary and equal and we are good at different things.”

The proposal to remove the exemption to the Sex Discrimination Act for the Australian Defence Force is part of an omnibus bill which makes technical changes to a wide range of civil justice legislation.

With AAP