Australian Deputy Prime Minister Scraps Ban On "Woke" LGBTQ+ Morning Teas

A ban on defense staff holding events to celebrate diversity and cultural causes, such as LGBTQ+ morning teas, has been overturned.

Peter Dutton, the former Australian defense minister, had ordered officials to restrict activities where participants would wear rainbow colors to support the LGBTQ+ community.

According to ABC News, the defense secretary, Greg Moriarty, and defense chief, General Angus Campbell, issued a directive confirming that the new minister, Richard Marles, had ordered the previous policy be immediately scrapped.

“People will always be our most important asset, and Defense is focused on building inclusive and capable teams, underpinned by our unified Values and Behaviors,” the memo stated. “We recognize a diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture is essential to Defense's capability and effectiveness. We look forward to working with all of you to build capability through fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce to deliver on Defense's mission.”

Defense Department staff are now allowed to hold activities recognizing the upcoming Wear it Purple and R U Okay Day. Guidelines will remain in place for those participating following the principles of impartiality, selectivity, reputation, inclusivity, and readiness.

When issuing the original ban, defense bosses reminded employees that “Defense represents the people of Australia” and that it “must at all times be focused on our primary mission to protect Australia's national security interests.”

“We must not be putting effort into matters that distract from this,” General Angus Campbell and Defense Secretary Greg Moriarty wrote last May. “To meet these important aims, changing language protocols and those events such as morning teas where personnel are encouraged to wear particular clothes in celebration are not required and should cease.”

After becoming defense minister in 2021, Mr. Dutton said, “I will not tolerate discrimination, but we are not pursuing a woke agenda.”

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