Navy sex game 'could hurt recruitment'
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Not ship shape: The sailors reportedly dared one another to have sex in numerous locations. (Department of Defence)
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says an alleged sex scandal involving male Navy personnel could discourage people from joining the armed forces.
The Defence Department is investigating claims Australian sailors from HMAS Success engaged in a sex-for-money competition.
Channel Seven News last night aired claims that the seamen ran a contest to see who could sleep with the most female crew members.
Ms Gillard has told Channel Ten today that she wants a full investigation so women do not feel excluded from serving their country.
"As a nation ... we've been saying for a long period of time we want men and women to be able to join the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and to have good careers in it," she said.
"We don't want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces if that's what they choose to do with their lives.
"Clearly these allegations need to be fully investigated."
The sailors reportedly dared one another to have sex in numerous locations, like the top of a pool table, and more money was on offer if a sailor could sleep with a female officer or lesbian.
It is alleged the contest was discovered when the ship was in Singapore in May.
The captain ordered the sailors to immediately return home to Australia after they were formally interviewed.
A Defence Department spokesman would not confirm how many sailors were involved but says the men were removed from the ship and a formal inquiry is underway.
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