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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Wong. Just yesterday the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, announced an increase in Australian Defence Force pay of 11.2 per cent over the next three years. In the first year diggers will get four per cent, or 1.2 per cent less than current inflation. With inflation running rampant in our economy, this increase does not keep up with the cost of living. This is a pay cut to the diggers. At the same time, the CDF has announced an increase in the vehicle allowance for the senior commanders. This means that the brass—yes, once again, those senior officers that mark their own homework—will receive an increase in the vehicle allowance that is equal to about 10 per cent of their annual salary. Why do the Chief of the Defence Force and this government want to acknowledge the cost-of-living crisis for the top brass but not for their diggers?