Assistant defence minister Andrew Hastie has insisted the military's main role is to carry out 'lethal violence' and win wars. The former SAS-soldier, who fought in Afghanistan before turning to politics in 2015, outlined the military's purpose in an emailed newsletter to constituents this week. 'Our military serves a vital role across Australian society, whether during pandemic, flood or fire,' he wrote. Assistant defence minister Andrew Hastie (pictured in Afghanistan) has insisted the military's main role is to carry out 'lethal violence' and win warns 'But the ADF's core business will always be the application of lethal violence in the defence of our values, sovereignty and interests. We should never forget that.'