Lambie needs to treat veterans with respect, not as political playthings

Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson is calling on Senator Jacqui Lambie to treat veterans with respect, not as political playthings. It was reported that she insulted Vietnam veterans on her Facebook page, simply because these veterans attended a function with the Prime Minister.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Senator Lambie needs to stop using veterans and Tasmanians as political pawns. They are not there to be used to score points against the Prime Minister.

“This is just another example of a politician who is all headlines and no homework. There is no excuse to use individuals like this as cannon fodder in political debate.

“I’m glad Senator Lambie says she is going to apologise to the individuals concerned for using them in this way.

“I have brought forward an Inquiry into Veterans’ Mental Health that has already received 68 submissions from groups and individuals around the country.

“This is the way the Senate is supposed to bring light to issues, not through using and abusing members of the public for cheap shots.

“Veterans’ issues are complicated and serious affairs and require lots of trust-building between the community, politicians and the bureaucracies involved. Senator Lambie, this is not a way to build that trust,” he concluded.
Greens spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson