One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has criticised “out of touch generals” and Defence Minister Richard Marles, following an Australian Army cultural training course in which soldiers were taught how to construct traditional Indigenous weapons.
Senator Hanson has described the exercise as misplaced and accused Defence leadership of focusing on “political correctness” rather than operational readiness.
“The Department of Defence has been caught forcing soldiers to craft Indigenous spears instead of practising modern day warfighting,” Senator Hanson wrote on social media.
“I hope spears and clubs aren’t our new plan for Defence instead of weapons and drones,” she said, also referencing a photograph of a soldier using an electric sander during the activity.
The four-day program, known as Exercise Greenskin, was designed to “strengthen understanding of Aboriginal warfighting traditions, cultural heritage and Indigenous service”, while helping Army personnel connect local history with unit identity, according to Defence.
Participants were taught how to identify suitable trees and craft items including clubs, spears, axes and coolamons, and also took part in cultural tours with the Ngunnawal people in Canberra.
“What we’re trying to do here is, in a culturally cleared way, help soldiers better understand the Aboriginal history of their unit,” said Major Samuel White, the officer in charge of the exercise.
“I have a strong link to culture being Indigenous myself, but seeing non-Indigenous Australians and service members learn how to do this sort of stuff is the highlight.”
Captain Thomas Campbell from the Queensland University Regiment also participated in the training, which included preparing a boondi, a traditional hunting club.
According to Defence materials, soldiers who complete the course could eventually be authorised to carry culturally appropriate Indigenous weapons for ceremonial purposes.
“When you walk into every CO’s office, there should be something like this from the area,” Major White said, adding that the Army was grateful for the Ngunnawal people’s custodianship and teachings.
A spokesperson for Minister Marles rejected the criticism, saying Hanson’s comments showed “a complete lack of respect for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force”.
“Our Defence Force personnel deserve better than being at the centre of the culture war One Nation want to wage,” the spokesperson told the Nightly.
Exercise Greenskin was the fourth iteration of the program, with previous sessions held in locations including Arnhem Land and the Torres Strait, involving around 60 Defence personnel.
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