Jacqui Lambie Reflects on 10 Years in Parliament, Reveals Her One Regret Involving Family
As she approaches what she says will be her final term in politics, outspoken Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has revealed her biggest regret from a decade in federal parliament: involving her children, particularly her youngest son, in the public spotlight during her early political years.
Speaking candidly to NewsWire, Lambie said she now questions her decision to include personal family struggles in interviews during her first two years in office.
“I think it’s our kids,” she said. “Those first two years, I put them in interviews, especially my youngest one who had meth issues. It helped people realise they weren’t alone… but I’m just not sure I’d do it again now.”
Lambie famously went viral in 2015 after emotionally revealing in the Senate that her 21-year-old son, Dylan Milverton, was battling ice addiction. The moment struck a national chord as she spoke not only as a senator, but as a struggling mother.
“I can’t involuntarily detox my own son, because I’m not talking to my son anymore — I’m talking to a drug,” she said at the time. “And I can tell you, I’m not the only parent out there. There are thousands of us.”
A Decade On: Reflection and Growth
Nearly 10 years later, Lambie acknowledges how the attention impacted her family, especially Dylan.
“It was very big of Dylan. He told his story and wanted to help… but I think it may have had a little bit of a negative impact on him off and on,” she said. “If I had any advice for people coming into parliament — just be careful about putting your kids out there. This is your career, not theirs.”
Since then, Dylan completed a 12-month rehabilitation program that Lambie says “probably saved my son’s life.” While he experienced a relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s now back on track and holding down a job. Still, Lambie doesn’t mince words when it comes to the dangers of methamphetamine.
“It’s the devil’s drug. I swear to God, it is. It’s just the devil in disguise. I hate the s**t. It is so addictive.”
Preparing for a Final Term
At 54, Lambie says the decision not to recontest after this term — should she be re-elected on May 3 — is “quite easy.” Her health, particularly chronic back pain stemming from her time in the army, has made the demands of political life harder to bear.
“My body is absolutely broken from what I went through with the army and DVA,” she said. “It’s going to kill me to get through it, but I’ll be heading toward 60. I need to find something a little bit lighter.”
Lambie, who requires regular chiropractic care and massage therapy, said constant travel and long periods sitting on planes and in cars take a significant toll.
“I just need to stay on my feet… but you’re in pain all the time.”
What’s Next: Legacy Goals
Before she exits federal politics, Lambie is focused on two major priorities: pushing the government to implement all 122 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and establishing a national “climate army” to engage young people in environmental volunteering.
“It’s those things closest to the heart. If I can help get those through, that’s enough service to country — 11 years in uniform, plus what will be 16 years in parliament,” she said.
Still, Lambie is leaving room to contribute behind the scenes. Her Jacqui Lambie Network is running Senate candidates in Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales in the upcoming election, and she plans to support them.
“I think people will have had enough of Jacqui Lambie by then,” she joked. “Hopefully I can go out on my own two feet.”
