Defence insists Wear It Purple Day (WIPD) activities are voluntary for personnel after cadets claimed they were warned not to dress in military uniform during the annual LGBTIQ+ event because it would be considered a “protest”.
Students at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) have complained they felt pressured to wear purple clothing on Friday in a move the federal opposition has condemned as “coercive” and “overtly political” for the armed forces.
For several years the Defence Department has encouraged members to take part in WIPD, but ADFA recruits said a directive was given last week outlining that regular uniforms would be prohibited this year.
An instruction purportedly sent to ADFA cadets on Wednesday, and seen by the ABC, states: “Please remember it is Wear It Purple Day tomorrow and the dress is civilian attire. No one is to wear uniform!
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