From the Melbourne _Age_, Friday, 18 September, 1992

CANBERRA SET TO LIFT DEFENCE BAN ON GAYS

The defence force ban on homosexuals is expected to be lifted
soon, after a special caucus committee decided last night to recommend
its immediate repeal and an intensive education campaign of defense
personnel.

The decision was taken last night at a meeting of the committee of
six, which was formed in June after caucus uproar at the decision by
the Defence Minister, Senator Ray, to endorse the ban's continuation
after an internal review.

It split 4-2 on the decision, with two Right members, Mr Courtice and
Mr Grace, insisting that the ban -- under which anyone discovered to
have engaged in homosexual conduct is sacked -- should stay
indefinitely. [For non-Aussies: the labour Party has a Left, Right and
Centre, which battle for control of the Party.]

Mr Courtice said last night it was now up to Cabinet to make the final 
decision, "and I hope Cabinet will roll the committee."

When asked for his reason for supporting the ban, Mr Courtice said
that "I don't eat quiche adn Stonwall Jackson would have had the same
point of view." [Oh, how I love the precise reasoning of those who
oppose our rights.]

Senator Ray, when he had announced that the ban would remain, also
released a new policy on inappropriate sexual behaviour on the job,
including sexual harassment and bastardisation. [There was a case
recently of cadets complaining they had been bastardised as part of an
initiation.] This policy had been intended to replace the ban until
the defence chiefs intervened, and the committee recommended that
Cabinet endorse the new policy.

The committee also recommended that, in tandem with an education
campaign, the defence force survey its members for the first time on
their attitudes to homosexuals. The committee believes the defence
force claims of rampant homophobia were incorrect, and reflected the
views of a vocal minority. [the defense chiefs?]

The Attorney-General, Mr Duffey, asked Cabinet in June to reverse
Senator Ray's decision on human rights grounds, and both men were
asked to come back with a joint submission taking into account the 
committee's recommendations.

The committee report was delivered to the two ministers last night,
but it is believed that Senator Ray remains vehemently in favour of
the ban. Mr Duffey is believed to have the numbers to roll Senator
Ray in Cabinet by a narrow majority.

Mr Duffey is believed to have the support of the Health Minister, Mr
Howe, the Indsutrial Relations Minister, Senator Cook, and the Foreign
Affairs Minister, Senator Evans. The Employment Minister, Mr Beazly,
supports Senator ray, but the position of the Prime Minister, Mr
Keating, is not yet known. The Opposition defence spokesman, Mr
Downer, said last night the recommendation was a "defeat for Senator
Ray, who has staked his credibility on this issue."

A spokesman for the gay and lesbian coalition which has lobbied
against the ban, Mr Rodney Croome, said the recommendation "is a
wonderful decision, because it breaks a deadlock which was damaging
our relationship with Labor".

"It will boost the morale of gays and lesbians in the force and make
them feel much less bvesieged than before," he said.