Pentagon’s ‘war on woke’ won’t deter Australia’s AUKUS recruiting efforts

Transgender Australians signing up to the defence force are being encouraged to still consider joining the AUKUS nuclear-submarine program, despite the Pentagon removing members of their minority community from US military ranks.

During an appearance at the National Press Club, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has been quizzed about the Trump administration’s push to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the US armed services, and possible impacts on the ADF.

“Certainly, we’re aware that there’s particular policy approaches that have been taken in the United States, and we need to have an awareness of that in terms of how we engage,” Minister Keogh said.

“But we’re also really committed to our approach to supporting our defence people in every way, and that’s what we’re absolutely committed to doing and working with them to best support their welfare and whatever decisions of postings or training or roles, whichever they choose to play.”

When asked by The Nightly what his message would be to a transgender recruit who is looking to join the AUKUS program, which involves likely deployments on US submarines or bases, the Minister insisted they should still be encouraged to sign up.

“I’ll give them the same message that I give to everyone who’s even has the vaguest of interest in joining the Defence Force, which is, please come and join our nuclear submarine program or any other program of the over 300 different roles that we have in the Defence Force”.

The Nightly has been told the Pentagon’s so-called “war on woke” is being closely monitored by Australia’s Defence Force Recruiting agency, which has decided it will discourage transgender applicants from pursuing AUKUS careers.

Pressed further on whether there was any formal guidance inside his department on the matter, Minister Keogh told the National Press Club he was not aware of the “specific issue”.

“But we are always seeking to encourage people of all backgrounds to join our defence force, because we want to see a defence force that reflects Australia. That’s how we have a defence force that’s in the best position to protect our national interest.”

Earlier this year the Pentagon began removing around 1000 active service members who openly identify as trans following an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at making the US military more “lethal”.

Under a formal guidance issued by Secretary Pete Hegseth in May, service members who were yet to openly identify as transgender were given 30 days to remove themselves.

In an October address to senior figures of the newly renamed Department of War, Secretary Hegseth declared: “We became ‘the woke department’… Not anymore. We’re done with that shit” and took aim at “fat generals” and members with beards.

“No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done,” Secretary Hegseth said.

“Simply put, if you do not meet the male level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession.”

Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission

In his National Press Club speech marking 12 months since the government’s response to last year’s final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Minister Keogh outlined the next steps in tackling the problem.

The Veterans’ Affairs Minister confirmed a landmark independent inquiry into sexual violence in the Australian military would proceed after being recommended by the royal commissioners.

He also conceded that a senate inquiry had found Labor’s injection of almost $500 million to speed-up veterans’ compensation claims processing had unintentionally fuelled an unethical industry of advocates ripping off former servicemen and women.

“I was enraged to hear evidence that veterans are being charged a staggering amount in fees, things like $20,000 for a single day’s work by an advocate and charging commissions as high as 29 per cent of a veteran’s DVA compensation payment.”

“The commercialisation of this system began when the backlog of claims blew out under the former government with commercial advocates making false promises that they can get a veteran’s claim processed faster,” Mr Keogh said.

The Minister also confirmed the government would provide $78 million over four years to establish a new veteran and family wellbeing agency, which would be up and running in July 2026.