During her maiden speech in the Senate on Wednesday, the Tasmanian Senator outlined her pledge to reform Australia’s Department of Veteran Affairs and Defence Force.
The former corporal, who spent more than a decade battling the Department of Veterans' Affairs over compensation for a back injury, said the Department was “dysfunctional and dangerous”.
“The seeds for this failure and appalling treatment of many former members of our Australian Defence Force can also be found in the complete failure of leadership at the highest levels of the Australian Defence Forces,” she said.
“The only remedy to address the gross injustices is for a Royal Commission to be held into the Department of Veterans Affairs, the senior Military leadership and their toxic culture of cover up.”
‘The only remedy to address the gross injustices is for a Royal Commission to be held’
Senator Lambie cited high suicide rates among young veterans, as well as alleging high levels of abuse and sexual assaults, during her address.
The Palmer United Party senator also called for action on the “unfair and exorbitant costs” of transporting goods in and out of Tasmania.
“We need the support of all Australians to help solve Tasmania’s Bass Strait Transport Cost crisis, which has strangled our economic life,” she said.
“…If the powers that control the treasury benches in this place don’t want an army of Jacqui Lambies in this place speaking uncomfortable truths and challenging them in the future, then fix the Bass Strait Transport Cost crisis.”
Senator Lambie also thanked Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer before closing with “god bless Australia, god bless my Tasmanian and our beautiful Southern Cross”.
Share
