Jacqui Lambie blows up over Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
The Tasmanian Senator shouted her questions at Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, during question time on Tuesday, demanding to be told why the royal commission had been delayed for quite a few months.
Senator Lambie – a veteran herself - asked: “You already decided you were having a royal commission back in April. Why couldn't you have asked for (legal) tenders back then?”
“Why can't the government walk and chew gum at the same time?”
Then she shouted: “Why are we so far behind?”
Senator Cash said she didn’t agree the commission was falling behind and she said the government “recognises the importance of those engaging with the royal commission”.
But Senator Lambie asked for more information – especially for those taking part in the commission. She questioned Senator Cash about what legal financial support would be provided to veterans.
“They want to be called to give evidence at the hearing. But before they can do that, a lot of them need funding for legal advice,” Senator Lambie said.
“It's been three months since the prime minister announced the royal commission. When will people know what the plan of attack is here?” she added.
Senator Cash confirmed a legal financial assistance scheme would be provided for those who engaged with the commission, but as it was independent from government, the commission itself would ultimately determine how hearings would be run.
This only seemed to frustrate Senator Lambie more and she retaliated: “To save everyone some hurt here – we just want to know: if we get called up in front of the royal commissioner will we have funding to use our own lawyers?”
“That is what I would like answered, please. We need to know this!” she said.
But the Speaker cut Senator Lambie off before she could say any more.
Senator Cash then said that along with legal financial assistance, counselling and support services would also be made available to people engaging with the royal commission.
Senator Lambie has been a vocal supporter of defence veterans having been discharged from the Australian Corps of Military Police herself after her career ended because of a spine injury.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established in July after many people said it was necessary to address the high rates of mental illness and suicide among Australia’s returned servicemen and servicewomen.
The commission will be required to deliver an interim report by August next year and a final report by June 2023.
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