Peter Dutton has laid down the law to his department over pursuing a “woke” agenda, saying such events are a distraction from protecting Australia’s national security.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has ordered his department and serving military personnel to stop pursuing a woke agenda after Defence held morning teas where staff wore rainbow clothing to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia.
Mr Dutton, who has vowed to shake up his department and refocus on its core mission, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age he ordered Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell and Secretary Greg Moriarty on Friday to issue a note ending events with particular clothes in celebration.
Peter Dutton met soldiers in Townsville last month.Credit:ADF
Ive been very clear to the chiefs that I will not tolerate discrimination. But we are not pursuing a woke agenda, Mr Dutton told this masthead.
Our task is to build up the morale in the Australian Defence Force and these woke agendas dont help.
Earlier in the year a note was sent out from Defence to staff urging them to mark IDAHOBIT on Monday by wearing rainbow clothing and ally pins to morning tea events.
Defence ADF and APS employees are encouraged to acknowledge IDAHOBIT in a COVID-safe manner. Examples for activity include hosting morning teas, encouraging discussions regarding the importance of IDAHOBIT, raising awareness of LGBTI rights and wearing visible rainbow clothing or ally pins, the note said.
The goal was to show support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) colleagues, friends and family by standing against prejudice and discrimination, and demonstrating inclusion.
But on Friday Mr Dutton ordered Mr Campbell and Mr Moriarty to issue a department-wide note banning events where staff celebrate by wearing particular clothes.
Defence represents the people of Australia and must at all times be focused on our primary mission to protect Australias national security interests. We must not be putting effort into matters that distract from this, the new note said.