Govt 'cowards' on ADF pay: Lambie
Outspoken senator Jacqui Lambie wants Australians to turn their backs on coalition members speaking on Remembrance Day events to express outrage over defence force pay.
Senator Lambie has slammed the "insulting" decision to grant Defence personnel a pay rise of just 1.5 per cent as an act of cowardice by the government.
A collective protest by veterans and their supporters on November 11 ignoring Abbott government speakers would pressure them into caving in, she said.
"Their actions regarding Defence pay clearly show that they don't care or they are cowards," the Palmer United Party senator said in a statement on Wednesday.
"I have one message to all Australians that will help our ADF receive a fair pay rise – with the spirit of the ANZACs, turn your backs.
"The Liberal and National Party members of Parliament because of their cowardice, must be shamed into forcing their Prime Minister into delivering fair wages to our ADF members.
"If veterans turn their backs on Abbott government ministers during speeches and those actions receive national and world media coverage - the Abbott government will be forced to offer our ADF members a fair pay increase.
The defence pay deal was signed off on Monday, prompting outrage from Defence personnel.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the increase is all the government can afford under the current budget situation.
Morning news break - November 5
