Australia: Defence force told to investigate sex allegations

The Australian navy tanker HMAS Success, pictured during a visit to Auckland in 2004. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

CANBERRA - An alleged contest among sailors to have sex with as many female crewmates as possible needs to be fully investigated by the Australian Defence Force, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

A group of sailors from HMAS Success was sent home and an inquiry launched after they allegedly organised a challenge to have sex with as many female crewmates as possible.

The Seven Network reported that the sailors allegedly detailed their contest in a document called "The Ledger" where dollar values were placed on each woman's head, during an overseas deployment in May.

Larger amounts were offered if the sailors could sleep with a female officer or a lesbian and sailors challenged each other to have sex in various locations, including on top of a pool table, the report said.