Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Attorney-General. Last Wednesday night at approximately 8 o'clock, about eight hours after I announced I wouldn't be supporting the government's higher education bill, veterans and serving members and their families were given a slap down by the government when it announced that Dr Bernadette Boss is to serve as the interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention. Dr Boss served for seven years as a legal officer in the Australian Army. She saw operational service in East Timor and Christmas Island. In separate meetings with both the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Finance I was assured in no uncertain terms that the interim commissioner would not—would not!—be a current or former military serving member in any way, shape or form. How on earth can that commitment be reconciled with the fact the interim commissioner is actually a senior ranking brigadier?