‘Puppets’: Lambie hits out at Army leaders as calls for veteran suicide royal commission mount

An independent senator has called Army bosses ‘puppets’ and warned the findings of a veteran suicide royal commission will ‘rock the nation’.

Jacqui Lambie says a veteran suicide royal commission will “rock the nation” and hit out at military leaders as “nothing but political puppets”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing growing calls to announce a royal commission into the issue, including from members of his own party.

Ms Lambie on Tuesday said the move had been “a long time coming”, but warned what it would reveal would shock the public.

“I think it’s going to knock people off their bloody seats,” she told Sky News on Tuesday.

“I think people understand that Veterans Affairs is very bad. But to see what’s actually going on in the military and what’s coming from high command, I think it’s going to rock a nation.”

She rejected claims the high rate of veteran suicide was solely down to a masculine culture within military ranks, saying veterans suffered from a “lack of leadership” from their command.

Jacqui Lambie warns a royal commission into veteran suicide will ‘rock the nation’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“We need true leaders out there when it comes to our national security. And I think that these days, our military leaders are nothing but political puppets,” she said.

Ms Lambie suggested hesitancy to implement a royal commission was based on fear from the “very high echelons” of the military.

“That is where your problems are and unfortunately it’s about time those commanders come under scrutiny. They are part of the problem,” she said.

The government has so far resisted the calls but appointed an independent commissioner to look into veteran suicide on an ongoing basis.

Victorian opposition leader Michael O’Brien on Tuesday confirmed his support for a royal commission.

Pressure is mounting on the government to implement one, with a rally planned for ANZAC Day in Melbourne.

“I don’t want to get down on my hands and knees and beg for him to do that,” Ms Lambie said.

“But my God, if that’s what it’s going to take, then that’s what I’ll bloody well do on behalf of everybody out there.

“I’m so sick and tired of seeing our own mates take their lives. Enough is enough and we need to get to the bottom of this now.”