“I know you are hurting”: Senator Lambie shares message for veterans
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has issued a personal apology to Australian veterans after the capital of Afghanistan was captured by the Taliban on Monday.
Senator Lambie served in the army for more than a decade, and has had a keen interest in veterans affairs since she started her political career.
The senator apologised to veterans on behalf of politicians while on the Today show, saying the decision to withdraw forces from Afghanistan was solely theirs.
“Look, to every veteran who served in the Middle East or previous wars or peacekeeping, we are grateful and always will be,” Senator Lambie said.
“Every Australian is grateful for what you have done.
“It is not your fault that we come out of this at the end and we failed to get the job done. That is the fault of the politicians.
“I know you are hurting and carrying wounds from that war. I know you are carrying guilt from leaving your mates there.
“I personally apologise to each and every one of them.”
Since the Taliban have taken control of Kabul, the Australian Defence Force has evacuated 26 Australians and Afghans.
Senator Lambie said she is worried about what the coming months will bring.
“If we couldn’t do it this time, what will happen over the next few months?” she asked.
“Does that mean in the future we will have to go back in because quite frankly unless we have a better plan of attack, opposite of what we have done, don’t send our men and women back in.
“We are depleted and we are paying the price and so are their families.”
Image: Today