After nearly three decades of living with debilitating chronic pain, Tasmania's most outspoken senator is facing the fight of her life.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has revealed the secret 'h***' that will force her to take medical leave until 2026.
Since August 2025, the condition of Senator Jacqui Lambie's back has deteriorated, and her surgeon has confirmed that she will undergo spinal surgery in the coming weeks.
The 54-year-old independent senator announced she'll be taking medical leave until 2026, missing the remainder of parliamentary sitting weeks this year.
Senator Lambie's doctors have ordered bed rest and minimal movement until the operation. Therefore, she will not be present in parliament for the final sitting weeks of the year.
Her office confirmed the shock news on Friday night, stating that 'Jacqui’s parliamentary advisory team will be in Canberra for the sitting weeks to ensure that Senator Lambie’s work will continue for the people of Tasmania and the veteran community.'
For many Australians over 60 dealing with their own chronic pain issues, Lambie's story offers both inspiration and a stark reminder of how a single moment can change everything.
In this article
When army training went wrong
The injury that would define much of Lambie's life occurred during what should have been routine military training. During a field exercise in July 1997, Lambie sustained a back injury resulting in long-term detriments to her spine. She was just 18 years old when she enlisted in 1989, becoming part of a groundbreaking generation.
'I was part of the first generation of women who were allowed to train for frontline combat. The training at the time did not take into account women's bodies and, as a result, a lot of my mates have similar issues,' Lambie explained.
'I was part of the first generation of women who were allowed to train for frontline combat'
The consequences were swift and devastating. Senator Lambie was medically discharged in 2000 from the Australian Army after 11 years of service following a back injury suffered during infantry training. 'When I went to get out of bed, I could not get out. From there it all just went downhill,' she said.
The original injury was sustained in 1997 after she spent two days carrying a 40-kilogram pack in a bush skills course that left her in debilitating pain. In 1999, taxpayers even funded her breast reduction in the hope it would help ease the pressure on her back.
The dark years that followed
What happened next was a decade-long nightmare that nearly cost Lambie her life. After her medical discharge, the Department of Veterans' Affairs cancelled her military pension, saying she was no longer injured. This began a brutal legal battle that would push her to breaking point.
By 2009, Lambie had ballooned to 102 kilograms, was struggling with depression and alcohol abuse, and felt like 'a useless human being.' The culmination came when she walked into oncoming traffic in what she describes as a suicide attempt.
'I just remember walking down the road thinking, 'This is it, this it.' You know, I had enough,' she recalled. 'I'd just had enough of being an empty human shell for months.'
'Yeah, I remember about 30 seconds before the car hit me. I just remember walking down the road thinking, "This is it." I’d had enough … I was on a lot of medication and obviously drinking and just thought, "What’s the point? I am of no use to anyone."'she said in a previous interview. The accident left her with a scar down her face, two missing teeth, and a hospital stay.[/p
The car hit her, leaving scars down her face, two missing teeth, and a hospital stay. But it also proved to be her salvation.
After the incident, Lambie was admitted to a Hobart rehabilitation clinic for months to treat her depression and alcohol abuse.
She later admitted: 'I wasn’t drinking every day — probably five days a week — but because of the medication I was on, even a bottle of wine was enough.' She described it as alcohol abuse rather than alcoholism.
Source: ABC News (Australia) / Youtube.
Finding faith and purpose
That near-fatal moment became the catalyst for an extraordinary transformation. Jacqui Lambie was riddled with back pain and fighting for compensation during post-army 'h***' when she made a deal with God. 'I never thought about faith or anything ... (but) if He could just give me a second chance at life I would fight like h*** for veterans,' the Tasmanian senator told the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
'I lost my faith before I walked out in front of a car. And I realised that’s the last thing you’ve got left. I sincerely believe God has given me a second chance at life,' she told reporters. The suicide attempt became the turning point that forced the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to finally provide the medical support she had long been denied.
The transformation was remarkable. Lambie lost 40 kilograms in 14 months, got treatment for her depression and alcohol issues, and found her calling as an advocate for veterans. Her personal h*** became the driving force behind her political career.
Lambie's journey from despair to advocacy
- Medical discharge from Army in 2000 after 11 years of service
- Lost military pension and fought Department of Veterans' Affairs for compensation
- Struggled with chronic pain, depression, and alcohol abuse
- Suicide attempt in 2009 became turning point
- Lost 40kg in 14 months and found political calling
- Has served as Senator for Tasmania since 2014 (with brief gap 2017-2019)
A political force born from adversity
Lambie's entry into politics wasn't planned—it was born from necessity. After experiencing firsthand the failures of the veterans' support system, she became determined to fix it for others. She urged people to share their stories, describing herself as 'one of the lucky ones' who has come out the other side. 'Even if you do not want to do it for yourselves, do it for your mates because there is nothing else if we do not fix it this time,' she said.
In 2022, Lambie fought back tears as she described '10 years of h***' following her discharge and battles with Veterans’ Affairs — an ordeal that still shapes her advocacy today.
Her political journey has been as unconventional as her path to parliament. After starting with Clive Palmer's Palmer United Party in 2013, she struck out on her own, forming the Jacqui Lambie Network. Despite a brief forced resignation due to dual citizenship issues in 2017, she returned stronger than ever, winning re-election in 2019 and again in 2025.
The reality of chronic pain for seniors
Lambie's experience resonates with many older Australians dealing with chronic pain conditions. Back problems are among the most common health issues affecting people over 50, with many facing similar struggles with mobility, pain management, and quality of life.
Understanding chronic back pain in seniors
Chronic back pain affects millions of Australians, particularly those over 50
Common causes include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and old injuries that worsen over time
Treatment options range from physiotherapy and pain management to surgical interventions like spinal fusion
Recovery from spinal surgery in seniors typically takes 3-6 months, with full recovery potentially taking up to a year
The decision to undergo spinal surgery is never taken lightly, especially for someone in their 50s. It requires careful consideration of risks, benefits, and recovery time. For Lambie, who has managed this condition for nearly three decades, the deterioration since August has clearly reached a point where surgery is the only viable option.
Her office said the surgery would take place within weeks, and doctors had ordered complete bed rest until then. She will not return to parliamentary duties until 2026 while she recuperates.
Tasmania's representation continues
While Lambie recovers, her absence from Parliament won't leave Tasmania's interests unattended. Jacqui's parliamentary advisory team will be in Canberra for the sitting weeks to ensure that Senator Lambie's work will continue for the people of Tasmania and the veteran community.
This continuity is crucial, given Lambie's role as a key crossbench vote on many issues and her fierce advocacy for veterans' rights. Her absence comes at a time when Parliament is dealing with crucial end-of-year legislation.
What does this mean for veterans?
Lambie's temporary absence from Parliament comes at a time when veterans' issues remain critically important. Senator Lambie said addressing the length of time taken to process veterans' claims for compensation should be a top priority. 'They're taking two years before they even get to a delegate. That needs to be (fixed) immediately,' she told reporters outside the hearing.
She has long argued that excessive delays in claim processing are costing veterans their wellbeing — a concern she plans to revisit once she returns to Parliament in 2026.
Her personal experience with the Department of Veterans' Affairs has made her one of the most effective advocates for veterans' rights in Parliament. Her temporary absence will be keenly felt by the veteran community, though her team's continued presence ensures ongoing advocacy.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Senator Lambie completed her army recruit training while unknowingly pregnant with her first child. Army medical officers attributed her missed periods to training stress, and her pregnancy wasn't discovered until four months later. She went on to serve for 11 years before her career-ending injury.
The road ahead
The timeline for Lambie's return—potentially not until 2026—suggests this is major surgery requiring extensive rehabilitation. Spinal surgery, particularly for someone who has lived with chronic pain for decades, often involves complex procedures that can take months to recover from fully.
Her journey from attempted suicide to becoming one of Australia's most recognisable politicians is testament to remarkable resilience. Now, she faces perhaps her greatest physical challenge yet, but if her past is any guide, she'll approach recovery with the same determination that has defined her political career.
For many older Australians dealing with chronic pain conditions, Lambie's openness about her struggles offers both comfort and hope. Her willingness to discuss the darkest moments of her journey—the depression, the substance abuse, the suicide attempt—helps remove stigma from these very real challenges.
Her story also highlights the ongoing issues within Australia's veterans' support system and the long-term health consequences that can result from military service. As she prepares for surgery, thousands of veterans across the country will be hoping for her swift recovery and return to the political arena where she has been their fiercest champion.
Read more: ‘Free’ GP visits? What the government isn’t telling you about the Medicare overhaul
What This Means For You
The senator who once walked into traffic believing she was 'of no use to anyone' has spent the past decade proving exactly the opposite. Her temporary absence from Parliament will be keenly felt, but if history is any guide, Jacqui Lambie will return from this challenge stronger and more determined than ever.
What aspects of Senator Lambie's remarkable journey from despair to political success do you find most inspiring? Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with chronic pain or dealing with bureaucratic systems?
Primary Source
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/h...21232c9c1246c8cfc7a090abef9979?from=rss-basic
Spinal Surgery Forces Senator Lambie Out Of Parliament—Tasmanian Times
Cited text: Since August 2025, the condition of Senator Jacqui Lambie’s back has deteriorated, and her surgeon has confirmed that she will undergo spinal surgery ...
Excerpt: Since August 2025, the condition of Senator Jacqui Lambie's back has deteriorated, and her surgeon has confirmed that she will undergo spinal surgery in the coming weeks.
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/10/spinal-surgery-forces-senator-lambie-out-of-parliament/
Spinal Surgery Forces Senator Lambie Out Of Parliament—Tasmanian Times
Cited text: Senator Lambie’s doctors have ordered bed rest and minimal movement until the operation. Therefore, she will not be present in parliament for the fina...
Excerpt: Senator Lambie's doctors have ordered bed rest and minimal movement until the operation.
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/10/spinal-surgery-forces-senator-lambie-out-of-parliament/
Jacqui Lambie—Wikipedia
Cited text: During a field exercise in July 1997, Lambie sustained a back injury resulting in long-term detriments to her spine.
Excerpt: During a field exercise in July 1997, Lambie sustained a back injury resulting in long-term detriments to her spine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqui_Lambie
Spinal Surgery Forces Senator Lambie Out Of Parliament—Tasmanian Times
Cited text: I was part of the first generation of women who were allowed to train for frontline combat. The training at the time did not take into account women’s...
Excerpt: I was part of the first generation of women who were allowed to train for frontline combat.
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/10/spinal-surgery-forces-senator-lambie-out-of-parliament/
'10 years of hell': Jacqui Lambie's battle with Department of Veterans' Affairs | SBS News
Cited text: Senator Lambie was medically discharged in 2000 from the Australian Army after 11 years of service following a back injury suffered during infantry tr...
Excerpt: Senator Lambie was medically discharged in 2000 from the Australian Army after 11 years of service following a back injury suffered during infantry training.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...with-department-of-veterans-affairs/wj84cvuv0
Senator Jacqui Lambie to undergo spinal surgery—NetFM
Cited text: A year later, the Department of Veterans' Affairs cancelled her military pension, saying she was no longer injured.
Excerpt: the Department of Veterans' Affairs cancelled her military pension, saying she was no longer injured.
https://www.netfm.net/news/9news/senator-jacqui-lambie-to-undergo-spinal-surgery/
'10 years of hell': Jacqui Lambie's battle with Department of Veterans' Affairs | SBS News
Cited text: Jacqui Lambie was riddled with back pain and fighting for compensation during post-army "hell" when she made a deal with God. "I never ...
Excerpt: Jacqui Lambie was riddled with back pain and fighting for compensation during post-army 'hell' when she made a deal with God.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...with-department-of-veterans-affairs/wj84cvuv0
'10 years of hell': Jacqui Lambie's battle with Department of Veterans' Affairs | SBS News
Cited text: She urged people to share their stories, describing herself as 'one of the lucky ones' who has come out the other side. 'Even if you do not want to do...
Excerpt: She urged people to share their stories, describing herself as 'one of the lucky ones' who has come out the other side.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...with-department-of-veterans-affairs/wj84cvuv0
Spinal Surgery Forces Senator Lambie Out Of Parliament—Tasmanian Times
Cited text: Jacqui’s parliamentary advisory team will be in Canberra for the sitting weeks to ensure that Senator Lambie’s work will continue for the people of Ta...
Excerpt: Jacqui's parliamentary advisory team will be in Canberra for the sitting weeks to ensure that Senator Lambie's work will continue for the people of Tasmania and the veteran community.
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/10/spinal-surgery-forces-senator-lambie-out-of-parliament/
'10 years of hell': Jacqui Lambie's battle with Department of Veterans' Affairs | SBS News
Cited text: Senator Lambie said addressing the length of time taken to process veterans' claims for compensation should be a top priority. 'They're taking two yea...
Excerpt: Senator Lambie said addressing the length of time taken to process veterans' claims for compensation should be a top priority.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...with-department-of-veterans-affairs/wj84cvuv0
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