An investigation into peptide use in the military is at the centre of a row over alleged discrimination against a bisexual soldier and complaints about topless barmaids partying with special forces at a Defence Force club.
The row erupted earlier this week after the mother of the bisexual soldier alleged Defence had launched an investigation into her son because of his sexuality while he was serving at a special forces base in Perth.
She argued a double standard was occurring in her son's case and, as proof, released photos of topless barmaids at a club used by elite troops from Australia's highly trained Special Air Service Regiment, which is located at the base known as Campbell Barracks.
Defence refused to comment on the discrimination allegations but confirmed topless barmaids had been present at the venue, known as the Gratwick Club and adjoins the special forces base.
A spokesman said a ban on barmaids was now in place but declined to say if the ban had been prompted by the release of the photos.
Fairfax Media has since learnt the original investigation into the bisexual soldier related to his alleged purchase of peptides and had occurred only after his sexuality became known among other troops around Anzac Day. His mother said another soldier, who had issues with her son's sexuality, was suspected of making a vexatious complaint about peptides.
''He is the one who has issues, not my son,'' she said on Wednesday. ''There are others who have bought peptides and should have been investigated.''
Peptides are amino acid-like proteins that are supposed to help build muscle mass and speed up repair of muscle injury. They recently provoked controversy after their use was found to have been promoted amongst professional athletes.
The soldier's mother said her son had believed he was purchasing the peptides legally and had done so in order to assist in the recovery of a painful back injury which he sustained when his vehicle was blown up in Afghanistan. ''He even paid GST on them [the peptides],'' she said.
She corrected claims her son was a special forces veteran, saying he had never represented himself as being in the special forces, but he was a combat veteran who had been involved in providing support for troops in combat in Afghanistan and undertaking dangerous resupply missions.
Defence has so far declined to comment on the soldier's case but a spokesman said Defence maintained its commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace.
''Should members report that they have been subject to inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour, these matters are taken seriously and support mechanisms are available,'' the spokesman said.
The mother said she had released the photos because her son was being discriminated over his sexuality by the same management that condoned women being exploited in the manner of those photographs.
The photos, titled ''skimpis'', showed a topless tattooed woman behind the bar, another hugging a soldier and a topless woman giving a victory sign with uniformed soldiers in the background.
The club, which is frequented by special forces enlisted troops, and is listed on the federal government's ABN search website as being a ''Commonwealth government entity'', was established in the 1950s and named after World War II Victoria Cross winner Percy Gratwick.
The ADF was recently the subject of a series of inquiries in relation to sexual, physical and mental abuse following revelations of a major sex scandal at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra involving a video of a female cadet having sex that was broadcast to a group of male cadets.
Last year, army chief David Morrison issued a stern warning to personnel after dozens of soldiers were linked to the distribution of emails denigrating women. ''I will be ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to its values,'' General Morrison said.
