Senator Backs ‘Foreign Legion’ Concept to Bolster Flagging Aussie Military Recruitment

In this handout provided by the Australian Department of Defence, Commander of Joint Task Group 637.3, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Frankel (left), and Private Thomas Rixon, watch the Armidale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Armidale, sail into the Port of Honiara, in Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, on Dec. 1, 2021. CPL Brandon Grey/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images

Australia should open up military recruitment to neighbouring Pacific Islanders, says Senator Jacqui Lambie, who says the move will help deal with ongoing recruitment problems in the defence force.

“Pacific Islanders and New Zealanders … they’ve been going to and from this country for a long time,” Lambie told Sky News on May 1.