Women soldiers in Australia taking part in army training exercises. While these women are allowed to serve in the vast majority of military jobs, they were prevented from frontline combat roles - until today. 　　Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the government is dropping all military gender restrictions. DEFENCE MINISTER STEPHEN SMITH: "Now all of the roles on the front line will be determined on the basis of merit, not on the basis of sex, so a very significant reform announced by the government today. 　　" Australia is the fourth country after Canada, New Zealand and Israel to open up combat roles to women.