Sex contest shocks Aussie Navy chiefs

The tanker HMAS Success was on exercises when the scandal broke. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

At least four Australian sailors are under investigation after being accused of running a contest on the number of female colleagues they could seduce.

The four men were sent home from exercises in Southeast Asia after the discovery of a book recording the sailors' successes by the captain of HMAS Success.

Channel Seven in Australia reported that the men had challenged each other to have sex with as many female crewmates as possible.

They were awarded dollar values for each success, and bonuses for sleeping with officers or lesbians.

Bonuses were also awarded for having sex in particular locations, such as the ship's pool table.

But the challenge came to an end when it was uncovered by checks under the navy's equity and diversity health programme.

The programme is part of the defence force campaign against abuse and discrimination, and to boost recruitment of women and Aborigines.

Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Russ Crane said sailors were briefed regularly on appropriate behaviour, and that behaviour such as that alleged would not be tolerated.

As soon as the allegations were known the sailors were immediately removed from the Success and officers of the independent Australian Defence Force Investigative Service were brought in.

"The navy stands by its values and will act swiftly and decisively to address allegations of unacceptable behaviour," Admiral Crane said.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said women should be able to enjoy a full and rewarding career in the Defence Force, and a full investigation of the allegations was needed.

"We don't want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces," she said.

Australia's Defence Force has been hit by a several scandals, including cases of sexual abuse on navy ships.

About 19 per cent of the Navy is female.

Between 2005 and 2007, more than 100 official investigations were made into sexual offences and harassment in the navy, Fairfax newspapers reported.