Join the Defence Conservative Action Network
I am happy to report that after discussions and feedback from a large number of officers, soldiers, family members of Defence personnel and veterans that I am forming the Defence Conservative Action Network (DEFCAN).
DEFCAN will help Defence members with conservative social views to campaign for them and to ensure that these values are respected by Defence hierachy. The first step was taken today, when I sought permission through my chain of command for Defence personnel to attend pro-life and pro-marriage rallies in uniform. This document can be viewed here.
Defence has no option but to grant this request, given the precedent set with uniformed participation at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the support provided to the Defence Force Gay and Lesbian Information Service. Failure to do so would be hypocritical and make a mockery of Defence’s diversity policy. It would be nothing short of discriminatory.
I intend to launch a webpage shortly. If you are interested in being part of the Defence Force Conservative Action Network, please email me at personal@bernardgaynor.com.au
The press release below was issued a short time ago.
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Military personnel have requested that the Australian Defence Force allow them to wear uniforms at pro-life and pro-marriage rallies.
Spokesman for the newly formed Defence Conservative Action Network, Bernard Gaynor, says that he expects permission will be granted in line with the precedent set by Defence’s decision to allow uniformed members to parade in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
“There are a large number of military personnel and military families who feel very strongly about pro-life and pro-marriage issues and they are now seeking the same rights that homosexual Defence members have,” Mr Gaynor said.
“Defence has stated that it is committed to diversity. This will be a true test of Defence’s willingness to do more than talk the talk.”
“It would make a mockery of Defence diversity policy if it allowed members to attend pro-gay marriage rallies in uniform but refused to extend the same permission to those members who wish to show their support for traditional marriage.”
Mr Gaynor said that the Defence Conservative Action Network (DEFCAN) was being established along the same lines as the Defence Force Gay and Lesbian Information Service (DEFGLIS), and would be seeking the same level of Defence support.
“DEFGLIS has campaigned for gay marriage and to remove funding from religious organisations. That is their prerogative and it has not gone unnoticed that DEFGLIS has received official Defence support,” Mr Gaynor said.
“DEFCAN has now been established to assist Defence members with conservative social views to campaign for their rights. DEFCAN is staunchly pro-life and pro-marriage.”
“DEFCAN expects to receive the same level of support from the Australian Defence Force as DEFGLIS. Anything less would be discriminatory and would make a mockery of the ADF’s claim that it respects all of its members.”
Mr Gaynor said that the idea to establish DEFCAN came after he was contacted by hundreds of serving personnel, their famillies and former veterans who were concerned about uniformed military involvement in the Mardi Gras.
“Let’s not try and obscure the facts. DEFCAN is not our prefered course of action. We would have liked the ADF to end uniformed support for the Mardi Gras and maintain the existing policy allowing private political activity.”
“Unfortunately, the ADF has chosen not to do that.”
“So while we believe that it is preferrable for ADF members not to wear their uniforms to political events, given the circumstances, we have no option but to seek permission to do so.”
“It is the only way conservative members of the ADF can campaign for their values on an even playing field,” Mr Gaynor said.
DEFCAN expects to have a website operational shortly.
June 30, 2014
I’m truly amazed that we have a voice that won’t get squashed by political correctness. Having served in eight deployments overseas I have witnessed the worse in humanity something I would never want to experience here. I see Australia change with every news report and not for the better I’m afraid we are heading down the same track as England, Sweden and other EU countries with Islam and there are a lot of defence members who believe the same but don’t speak out in case of repercussion. Well done Bernard and thank you.
May 5, 2014
One way to fight fire with fire – well done Bernard.
John Abbott
May 2, 2014
Well done, Bernard. I will pass this on to everyone I know. It’s time for all concerned Australians to take a stand for common decency, morality and our constitutional freedom and values.
April 30, 2014
Nicely done Bernie. I love it when the PC Brigade get their collective noses rubbed in their own hypocrisy. Let me know if you need any help with DEFCAN. Best wishes with this great new initiative.
April 30, 2014
Great work, Bernard! That really is fighting back!
I hope and pray that your plan is successful, but I think you will have huge opposition from the pro-homosexual, anti-life, anti-Christian bunch. If Defcan is refused, at least it will have served to reveal their hideous hypocrisy. I can’t help having a chuckle at the outrage this plan of yours will cause, and the consternation when they realise they’ve been trapped by their own “diversity” policy. I hope this gets plenty of publicity……is there any way you can ensure that?
April 30, 2014
Heres some ways you can spread the publicity.
1. E mail a copy of the minute with a brief explanaton and a link to Bernards website to a number of your e mail contacts and ask them to consider passing the e mail along.
2. If you live near a military base, Print out and copy 100/200/500 copies of the minute and letter box drop in the area where soldiers are known to live.
3. If you are a military member, carefully leave a copy or two of the minute lying around at work. Dont spread too many just one or two every couple of weeks or months in case someone wants to get nasty.
4. Write a letter to the CDF and to the minister of defence and to the local member (especially in military districts) asking them to support genuine diversity.
5. Be prepared to write to whoever and whatever you can if this idea is initially knocked on the head. Politicans, the minister for defence, the local paper, Andrew Bolt, Gerard Henderson… Be prepared to take part in a peaceful protest march demanding true equality for all outside a military base. (I would drive 800km to Townsville to take part in a well organised march-I would even fly to Canberra if a well organised march was announced with 3 months notice.
May 1, 2014
Thanks, Bob. I live in rural Tasmania, nowhere near a military base – but I can talk to friends, family, neighbours…..and write letters. I hope there are many others who will take up your suggestions. I have a friend whose son is in the airforce, so will pass on the info to him, too.
April 30, 2014
As an ex Officer (Major) I strongly support the comments made by Bernard but after having trying to combat Political Correctness gone mad here in the west for the past 10 years I am aware of the struggle ahead for Bernard and his team. I deal with Vets on a day to day basis as an Advocate and will encourage all of them to sign up and support this cause.
April 28, 2014
Brilliant move. I will be photocopying the minute and passing it to whatever military members I can find. Wish I was going to Townsville soon, I would gladly letter box drop a couple of hundred of these around the military housing areas.
April 28, 2014
Very much looking forward to the outcome on this. The Minute itself is an interesting read. Unfortunately, I do feel that you have a tough fight on your hands.
April 28, 2014
Bloody good job. Overdue and very necessary.