Smart idea or a burden? Jacqui Lambie calls for return to conscription

Returning politician Jacqui Lambie has called for young Aussies to do their part for the country’s emergency services with a return to a form of modern day conscription.

Following down the path of strict conscription rules just a few decades ago – which forced all youngsters in Australia to sign up for the military after their teenage years – the 48-year-old said she would like to see the introduction of compulsory volunteer work in a bid to tackle drought, fires and floods which are continually wreaking havoc on those around the country. But not everyone has agreed, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson claiming while it sounds like a smart idea on paper, in reality the young people of today won’t put in the time or effort needed to fulfil the volunteering roles.

Sharing her thoughts on the Today show on Monday morning the pollie was firm in her position on the topic, warning “don’t head down this path”. “It all sounds good but you just can’t go out and send people to do these volunteer jobs,” Hanson insisted.

“A lot of these kids can’t even turn up for a job application or turn up to get a job. It’s going to be very hard to get them to do it because they know their rights. They’re all taught about their rights at school. What about their rights?”

Meanwhile, news reporter Prue MacSween held the opposite view, claiming Lambie is “onto such a great thing” and her idea would help to set wayward kids straight. Also sharing her thoughts on the Today show, the journalist said with a bit of training young Aussies would be able to see and understand the value of giving.

Should young Australians be called up for duty at emergency service units across the country to fill the shortage of volunteers? #9Today pic.twitter.com/xfeNwhP9GI

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) September 16, 2019

“We need people to volunteer and that whole volunteering ethos needs to be encouraged,” she explained. Adding: “The people who should be volunteering, the kids who are wayward, who are sitting at home, who haven’t had the inspiration and guidance to make the best of themselves are not likely to volunteer. So I think you need to conscript those kids. Because once they do it, it turns their life around.”

Despite her strong views, she was unable to convince news.com.au reporter James Law of the idea, with the journalist claiming forcing people is not the best option and will just deter them from learning the lessons they require. He claimed instead of making youngsters help the community through volunteering, they should be given the opportunity to lend a hand on a more irregular basis.

“You don’t foster a spirit of volunteerism by forcing people to do stuff like this,” he said on the Today show. “Volunteering numbers are actually falling off and it’s because people aren’t having positive experiences when they’re doing it and there is not enough flexibility.

“We need to give people the opportunity to volunteer once in a little while rather than having to sign up every week.” Speaking about Lambie’s idea in particular he added: “It’s a great idea, but it’s not going to work, it’s not going to get people to do it for the rest of their life. I don’t think forcing people to do things is a way to empower them. It becomes an obligation. They will do the bare minimum and move on.”

As for the rest of Australians, the views are mixed with some onboard with the idea and others claiming it is a “horrendous” idea with only certain people able to show commitment and compassion when it comes to volunteering for emergency services. Following Lambie’s announcement, social media was filled with comments from people on both sides of the fence, with a huge debate sparked.

“To be honest this is a horrendous idea,” one person wrote on Facebook. “It takes a special sort of person to be a member of an emergency service, be it paid or volunteer. You’re not going to get the quality of service out of a lot of vulnerable people if you force them to pick up a fire hose and do things they’re not willing to do like CPR on a child or do property protection on your house at a bushfire.”

Their comments were echoed by another who said: “If you conscript people into an organisation, who don’t want to be there they themselves will drain the resources and cause much discord by the genuine and dedicated people.” While a third said: “They would be an added burden to already over stressed emergency service volunteers.”

Holding the opposite view an Aussie in agreement with Lambie wrote on Facebook: “It would give them a sense of purpose, new skills, resilience and motivation to find their next options.” Followed by a second who added: “Oh yes! Absolutely support. At least it gives them some sense of responsibility and learn something, care about environment and living things instead of glueing their eyes on Instagram or buying the latest gadgets.”