Bernard Gaynor, who last year resigned from the Bob Katter Australia Party after stating that he didn’t want his children to be taught by gay teachers, is facing dismissal from the Army Reserve.
Gaynor has been notified that the Chief of Defense intends to terminate his commission as an Army Reserve Intelligence Officer.
The conservative commentator was charged with one count of disobeying a lawful command, three counts of failure to comply with a wilful order and three counts of prejudicial conduct after making comments in an online opinion piece questioning the place of women and homosexual people in the military as well as the army’s involvement with the Mardis Gras parade. His comments in the article have been labelled homophobic and anti-Islamic.
Gaynor has made controversy in the past when commenting on a rainbow cufflink made available to Australian Defense Force members, criticizing Prime Minister Abbott’s sister Christine Forster for supporting same sex marriage and misgendering transgender Army Speechwriter Cate McGregor.
Chief of Defence Force General David Hurley has issued Gaynor with a termination notice. In August last year he wrote:
“I respect your religious beliefs and your right to have, and express, opinions contrary to ADF and Government policy. However your public articulation of these matters whilst a member of the Army Reserve, whether or not you are on duty, or in uniform, undermine my confidence in your ability to uphold the values of the Australian Army and your effectiveness as a leader in today’s Army.”
Gaynor has issued a press release on his blog in response to the termination of his commission, in which he accused the Chief of Defence Force General David Hurley of failing to respect his religious beliefs.
He has stated: “General Hurley has already confirmed that the public expression of my Catholic beliefs as a normal Australian citizen is at odds with military service.”
An Australian Defence Force spokesperson had this say:
“Defence can confirm it has taken steps to terminate the service of Army Reserve member Major Bernard Gaynor as a result of his failure to uphold the values of the Australian Army.
In accordance with procedural fairness and the principles of natural justice, Major Gaynor was provided an opportunity to demonstrate to the Army why his service should not be terminated.
While the termination process is ongoing, Defence will not provide any further comment on this matter.”
Sophie Joske
