Senator Jacqui Lambie says increasing some defence rents by more than the inflation rate is just rubbing salt into personnel wounds.
After increasing defence pay by just 1.5 per cent, the federal government is increasing rent for some personnel by a higher-than-inflation 4.2 per cent.
In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday, the Tasmanian independent said: "In light of the season and Christmas spirit, I once again ask that you please reflect deeply on the hurt you have caused to individual members of our defence forces and our national security and reconsider your position."
Defence Force Welfare Association national president David Jamison said that as a Christmas present to the defence force, the government was increasing married quarter rents by up to 4.2 per cent and barracks rent up to 2.5 per cent.
The government has outraged defence members and lobby groups by imposing a 1.5 per cent pay increase for the next three years. It also cut some leave entitlements, which it later reinstated.
Senator Lambie has vowed to oppose every government measure until it increased defence pay.
Mr Jamison said this was a betrayal of defence members and their families.
"What makes it worse is that for some ADF families, the Defence increase is significantly more than the Defence Housing Authority increase charged to Defence. How can that be justified?" he said in a statement.
© AAP 2024
