Lambie defends ADF pay push

Senator Jacqui Lambie says she's frustrated she hasn't yet been able to meet with the prime minister to discuss a better deal for defence personnel.

Senator Jacqui Lambie has defended her decision to vote against government legislation until the coalition agrees to give defence personnel a higher annual pay rise.

The Tasmanian upper house independent also accused Prime Minister Tony Abbott of disrespect by cancelling two scheduled meetings with her to discuss the issue.

"Twice this man has put off a meeting with me over the past five days," she told Seven Network on Tuesday.

"Why won't he see me? He has put me to the side."

Senator Lambie said she contacted Mr Abbott's office on Monday after he announced a concession on defence allowance payments.

"I said `please, I need to see him'," she said.

"Still `no', that's what I'm dealing with. Just plain ignorance and disrespect."

Asked if she maintained her threat to vote against government bills in the upper house, Senator Lambie said "I don't think I have any other choice".

Mr Abbott has decided defence personnel will get to keep $17 million in allowances.

But the government won't agree to a more generous pay rise beyond the offer of 1.5 per cent a year for the next three years, due to budget constraints.

Senator Lambie wants to see an offer of three per cent.

Mr Abbott told Seven Network Senator Lambie's threat was a form of blackmail.

"This is not something that any sensible mature government can agree to," he said.

The prime minister said he would meet with her some time before the end of this week.

"But as I said, there are other crossbench senators who are at least prepared to be reasonable, and they are higher up in the list of people to see," he added.


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Published 2 December 2014 7:14am
Updated 2 December 2014 7:38am


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