Jacqui Lambie, Bob Katter host defence issues forum in Townsville

As scrutiny grows surrounding a closed door veteran suicide roundtable, a Federal Senator is flying in to host her in a bid to ensure “everyone is heard.”

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AS SCRUTINY grows surrounding a closed door veteran suicide roundtable, a Federal Senator is flying in to host her in a bid to ensure “everyone is heard.”

Tasmania Senator Jacqui Lambie has arranged a veterans forum to be held at the Townsville RSL on January 25 to allow defence families to air out their grievances.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter with Senator Jacqui Lambie with former special forces veteran and founder of veterans support organisation Voice of a Veteran Heston Russell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The town hall style meeting, which starts at 10.30am, has been organised with Kennedy Federal MP Bob Katter who said the event was overdue for the defence community.

“I just find it terribly hard to live with the suicide rate, it plays on my conscience (and) I just don’t think the government has any real interest in dealing with the problem,” Mr Katter said.

“Jacqui (Senator Lambie) is our leader on this and I’ve really been badgering her to come up here because if anyone is going to get this going it’s her – her vote is very serious and holds enormous weight in the senate.

“We’re the fortress city and if there’s anyone that should be leading this is us.”

It comes just days after a trip to Townsville by the Interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Dr Bernadette Boss earlier this week to host a series of roundtable discussions with veteran support organisations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces the appointment of a permanent independent commissioner to investigate veteran suicide with (L-R) Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, Australian Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester and Liberal member Herbert Philip Thompson at Parliament House. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

The unannounced visit came by surprise to Herbert Mp Phillip Thompson who has carved a reputation as a veterans advocate, so much so he was standing beside the Prime Minister when the position was announced in February.

“I was not briefed, not made aware and I found out through social media which is quiet unusual but I respect the fact Dr Boss may have tried to keep independence,” Mr Thompson said.

“I haven’t spoken with her, however I’ve received multiple calls from disgruntled veterans who weren’t happy it was kept to a select group of ESO’s (external service organisations).

“I agree with them, this should have been done as a town hall and given everyone the opportunity to talk and advertise it before you come to be transparent so it’s not in secrecy because I would like to see Dr Boss return to Townsville again and take the tough questions and hear from everyone.”

Mr Thompson said it was in stark contrast to the handling of Senator Lambie’s impending visit.

“Jacqui (Senator Lambie) called me and I will catch up with her when she’s here,” he said.

“I think it’s a good thing that a range of politicians and independents come to Townsville to have these conversations.

“I was invited but I said I won’t because I want the people there to have that independence away from local representation to speak very candidly, they’ve gone about it the right way.”

Originally published as Jacqui Lambie, Bob Katter host defence issues forum in Townsville