She said both the government and the nation had been saying for a long time that women should be able to join the army, the navy or air force.
“We don’t want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces if that is what they choose to do with their lives. Clearly these allegations need to be fully investigated,” she said.
The Defence Department confirmed a formal inquiry was underway, but said: “The veracity of any allegations has yet to be confirmed.”