'You should be ashamed': Defence force chief in fiery clash with Senator Jacqui Lambie

There's been a fiery outburst from the chief of the defence force in Canberra today, accusing independent senator Jacqui Lambie of "maliciously driving a wedge" between the senior command and defence personnel.

Lambie was quizzing General Angus Campbell in Senate estimates over pay packages for senior ADF commanders, suggesting a vehicle allowance was adding 10 per cent to their salaries, while junior officers weren't even getting a pay rise in line with inflation.

Campbell said the senator was wrong and had "grossly and maliciously misrepresented what has occurred".

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"There is no additional money being received. An allowance has been pushed into the salary," he said.

"It is very simple, very clear and you are maliciously attempting to drive a wedge between senior command and Australian sailors, aviators, soldiers.

"I think it is deeply undermining the cohesion of the force and quite frankly senator, you should be ashamed of yourself."

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Lambie later responded in a statement, saying Campbell's comments were "over the top" and she'd asked them to be withdrawn.

"General Campbell's response did take me by surprise. It is my job, and the job of all senators to hold all public officials to account for taxpayer money," Lambie said.

Earlier in the day, the head of the defence department, Greg Moriarty, admitted it's been a struggle to attract and retain necessary staff, with the department about 800 personnel behind its recruitment targets for this stage of the financial year.

"Cohorts that might traditionally look to the ADF for a career are finding employment elsewhere," Moriarty told the committee.