Jacqui Lambie’s approach to politics is perhaps best on show when she pauses her interview with New Idea to order a coffee from a McDonald’s drive-through.
WATCH BELOW: Who is Jacqui Lambie? I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
“Thanks so much sweetie, yep, a little bit of milk, thanks,” she says while the chat is on hold. She’s never been shy, or ever held back on sharing her personal life, even if that includes her coffee order – “it’s not the best coffee, but it’s better than no coffee,” she quips.
When our chat resumes, Jacqui wants to point something out – her first years in parliament had her acting like more of a “human wrecking ball” than a politician. But she’s certainly not the only one.
With NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation amid an unravelling corruption enquiry hogging recent headlines, Jacqui doesn’t hold back on her thoughts on the situation.
“Well, I can tell you, if I was in her shoes and I hadn’t done anything wrong, I wouldn’t have resigned,” she insists.
“I would say ‘Run me through the ICAC [NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption]. I’ve got nothing to hide.’ Stand your ground if you’ve done nothing wrong – and she’s not done that, so…” she pauses pointedly.
While Jacqui, a single mum of two, agrees the situation has opened a bigger conversation about women in politics, the former military personnel doubles down on her views.
“I was always raised to believe the sky’s the limit. I have no hang-ups about [being a female politician]… I don’t care what’s between your legs!
“I don’t think my parents ever thought I’d be a senator, but let’s not go there. I think they got me confused with Princess Mary – they probably wanted me to be a princess,” she laughs.
Revealing she was raised helping her dad drive trucks, there’s nothing remotely regal about Jacqui’s life – but that’s not stopped her from busting down castle-sized doors.
In 1989, Jacqui joined the Australian Army, completing her recruit training while she was, unknowingly, pregnant with her first child – something the army took four months to recognise.
“[By then] I knew and told them. They just accused me of wanting to get out of the army,” she recalls.
Despite the trouble they gave her before it was clear she was expecting, Jacqui acknowledges that she helped pave the way for women in the military.
During a field exercise in July 1997, Jacqui sustained a back injury resulting in long-term injuries to her spine.
After medical intervention, she was unable to regain operational fitness and was discharged in 2000 – leading to a six-year dispute with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs over her pension.
WATCH BELOW: Jacqui Lambie breaks down while thanking her dad
From there, things took a turn, including a battle with prescription pills to manage the pain which took her out of work, and in her darkest moments, suicidal thoughts.
“I’ve had a lot of psychology. I try not to be bitter … there’s a lot I regret,” she explains, but says the justice now is the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that she spearheaded.
“I’m still coming up for air. It’s not over by a long shot, but I want the public to hear what I’m saying. They need to hear about the culture and abuse that is still going on within the military.”
After turning 50 this year, Jacqui insists she’s still 40 at heart. She’s so proud of raising her sons Brentyn and Dylan, and is forever grateful for being able to serve Australia in uniform.
“Nothing’s been easy, but it’s my life.”
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