Navy fears further sex scandal details
TOP brass in the
Royal Australian Navy fear any widening of the inquiry into sailors ticking off
sex acts on HMAS
Success because it could reveal the extent of
illicit sex at sea.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she wanted "The Ledger"
sex competition, in which sailors tried to score with as many
young female sailors as possible, to be fully investigated so
young women would continue to consider navy careers.
But a senior RAN officer told the
Herald Sun that
sexual horseplay was
"rampant", despite rules prohibiting on-board relationships.
The officer claims a proper inquiry would "put rugby league
sex scandals to shame".
"
Sex games are used to break up the monotony and tension, and any inquiry would find it more common than is being admitted to," the officer said.
Four sailors from the
Success were ordered home from Singapore for allegedly organising a
sexual conquests contest in May.
According to Channel 7, which first aired the claims, sailors awarded themselves bonus cash prizes for
conquests of
lesbians or officers during extended voyages at sea.
But navy chief
Vice Admiral Russ Crane said the game surfaced during an audit of on-board behaviour while the
Success was visiting Singapore.
"Navy is awaiting the results of the Australian
Defence Force Investigative Service investigation,"
Vice Admiral Crane said.
"It will act as quickly as possible to address appropriate findings and recommendations, particularly should disciplinary or administrative action be warranted."
Ms Gillard wants Defence to conduct a thorough inquiry.
"We don't want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces if that is what they choose to do with their lives," Ms Gillard said.
"Clearly, these allegations need to be fully investigated."
Feminist commentator Melinda Tankard-Reist told Sky News that "animal-type mob behaviour" was supposed to have been eradicated from the navy.
"Obviously it is not," she said.
Navy fears further sex scandal details | National News | News.com.au