His tenure has also seen the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, carry out the
Review Into The Treatment of Women In The Australian Defence Force - which, although damning in
parts, does make encouraging reading for the future of Defence, particularly the culture that General
Morrison and his senior officers are instilling. He admitted that this has not been easy, but it has
definitely been necessary.
“We have had to open up the military to review – Lizzie Broderick has made life very difficult for me,
and I say that with great appreciation for what she has done, and I do think we have delivered on what
she has asked. I think Australians should be very proud of that; we are definitely heading towards the
inclusive rather than exclusive, and gaining a perspective from eyes that are not your own means you
become more capable of operating in conflicted societies - 52% of which are invariably women.”
It is this sense of drive and purpose, this policy of inclusion which he is determined to see thrive in an
institution of tradition and resistance to change, and which he believes will only continue to grow over
the next 5-10 years, that is pushing momentum onwards.
“Look I do believe, Kate, that there has been a fundamental change to this approach – it’s not that
the former Generals were not committed to making Australia a more safe, secure country – but in
my time we have become more crystallised in making everyone - myself, the Generals and senior
soldiers all together - engaged in seeking out and not letting go of these issues. In the past, dealing
with instances of poor behaviour was done on a case by case basis. Now, we link it in together, and
leaders have to deal with it on an integral level - which means a better organisation, and in turn a more
capable and progressive organisation.
I am a lousy Nostradamus – but the momentum for change is unstoppable, and we will continue to
see our military leadership take the lead for other areas of society. I want women of talent to think
about the Army as a career choice, and that can’t happen without change. We won’t go from our
current 12 percent to 25 percent in 5 years – it would be great, but I don’t think it will happen - but the
momentum is there.”