Ex-SAS soldier Andrew Hastie reminds military their ‘core business’ is ‘lethal violence’

Assistant defence minister Andrew Hastie has insisted the military’s main role is to carry out ‘lethal violence’ and win wars. 

The former SAS-soldier, who fought in Afghanistan before turning to politics in 2015, outlined the military’s purpose in an emailed newsletter to constituents this week. 

‘Our military serves a vital role across Australian society, whether during pandemic, flood or fire,’ he wrote. 

‘But the ADF’s core business will always be the application of lethal violence in the defence of our values, sovereignty and interests. We should never forget that.’

Mr Hastie said when this is forgotten troops may lose their way and become less effective at war. 

‘Mission clarity is vital in the profession of arms,’ he wrote.

‘Without it, confusion grows – confusion about role, identity and purpose. And confusion is deadly on the battlefield, at sea or in an aerial dogfight.

‘Mission focus is the foundation of victory. It keeps everyone driving towards a singular purpose,’ he added. 

It comes as the ADF faces criticism over a ‘shocking’ decision to celebrate a new warship with twerking dancers.  

The $2billion HMAS Supply was last week commissioned in Woolloomooloo, Sydney infront of high-ranking personnel including Governor-General David Hurley and Defence Force chief Angus Campbell. 

But before the formalities commenced, the audience was subjected to a modern dance routine by scantily clad women who performed raunchy moves including twerking. 

Governor-General David Hurley (pictured wearing glasses) sat front and centre of the ceremony

Senator Lambie trashed the celebration as an ‘absolute shocker’. 

‘I thought I was watching the Super Bowl there for a split second, I’ll be honest with you,’ she told Nine’s Today show.

‘Whoever made that call, it’s an absolute shocker for goodness’ sake.’

Senator Lambie added: ‘Good on those young ladies for getting out there, but I tell you, being half clothed outside a warship is probably inappropriate.

‘If that is the leadership in our defence forces, God help our sons and daughters who are serving.’

Another former soldier turned politician, LNP Member for Herbert Philip Thompson, said the Navy had turned too woke.

‘Standards in the ADF, and definitely when commissioning a ship, should be a little bit higher than that,’ he told the ABC earlier this week. 

‘Our ADF shouldn’t be left or right; they should be straight down the middle of what their job is, and their job is to defend our nation, our interests, our values, our sovereignty, but also when we go on operations, have an unapologetic aggression and violence to get the mission done.’ 

He added: ‘We’ve gone a little bit woke over the past few years and we can’t afford to be doing that.’  

The HMAS Supply ship’s company stand on the upper decks at the completion of her commissioning ceremony (pictured on Saturday)