That ADFA " Skype " scandal !

To most fair minded people, the handling of that disgusting incident at the Australian Defence Force Academy ( AFDA ) in Canberra was little more than spin and cover-up.     The initial report was probably more famous for what it didn't say than the facts that it revealed.

There is a deeply ingrained " blokey " culture running at every level in the  Australian military and this surfaces as resentment that a woman officer cadet should have the temerity to complain at what they perceive to be a " social matter " between herself and her colleagues.  In their eyes, her biggest sin was going public when she felt that the deck was stacked against her.

The fact that she was promptly put on a charge for minor infringements instead of getting sympathy and support  for what is clearly a breach of the law - because the perpetrators are going to face a court - and amazingly - that is not going to happen until next year - is a clear indication of the attitude that prevailed.

The academy commander was cleared - and reinstated.   Then the inevitable " leak " disclosed that all was not as it seemed.  Other cadets became emboldened to come forward and report sexual harassment and incidents that had not been properly examined over the decades that the academy had been in existence.   Sex and the treatment of women have been a running sore - that is constantly swept under the carpet rather than examined and corrected.

" Kate " - the woman involved - was persecuted by some of her colleagues, but it was reported that an incident when her room was " smothered in shaving foam " was incorrect.   This statement gave the impression that it simply did not happen - and by inference - that the claim was a lie.     What was deleted from any mention was the fact that the attack did not use shaving foam - but another chemical used in the cleaning industry.   Just another use of spin to deceive !

So - where do we go from here ?

It looks like the Defence hierarchy have closed ranks and are determined to sweep the whole affair under the carpet.   The perpetrator's case will not come before the courts until next year - an amazingly long time for what is a simple matter to be prepared for brief.    Once again, a matter of spin.  A year hence the matter will have slipped from the public mind - and if a mere slap on the wrist is handed down it may escape comment.

The minister who has taken the high ground in this unfortunate affair is Stephen Smith, the Defence Minister.   He has steadfastly stood up for " Kate " - and earned the enmity of powerful people in all levels of the military - and probably the ire of some in his political party.

Unfortunately, this " Skype " case will probably cause many young women considering a career in the Defence forces to have second thoughts - and that may suit the thinking of many males at all levels of the services.

What is abundantly clear is that we still have a culture that maintains that the only role for women in Defence is pounding typewriter keys or doing other clerical duties.   Until the top brass have a change of attitude, that culture will be maintained !