Family First National Director Lyle Shelton says Australia's military must focus on defending the nation, not accommodating gender ideology.
Mr Shelton was responding to reports that transgender and non-binary recruits to the Australian Defence Force are assessed according to their "affirmed gender" rather than their biological sex in fitness testing and other service requirements.
"The military is not a laboratory for social experiments. Biological males should not be allowed to pass a female fitness test because they identify as female,” Mr Shelton said.
"The primary purpose of the Australian Defence Force is to defend Australia and win wars. It is not to validate personal identity choices or promote the latest ideological trends."
"Family First agrees with the standards now being enforced by the United States Department of War under President Donald Trump. Military personnel should be assessed according to their biological sex, not an asserted gender identity."
Mr Shelton said the revelations raised serious questions about combat readiness, fairness and interoperability with Australia's most important defence ally.
"The fact that transgender and non-binary personnel are reportedly unable to participate in parts of the AUKUS nuclear submarine program because of United States military requirements should be a wake-up call for Canberra."
"If people wish to change their gender, a career in the military may not be the right path for them. Australia's national security is too important to be compromised by policies that deny biological reality.”
Side effects of gender conversion therapy treatments include impaired brain function, muscle atrophy and sterility.
Mr Shelton said Australians expected defence recruitment and promotion standards to be based on merit, capability and objective physical requirements.
"At a time when the ADF faces recruitment challenges and growing strategic threats in our region, Defence leaders should be focused on military effectiveness, not woke agendas."
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