"I have been at the memorial for two years and two months, I certainly know that Lockheed Martin, that Boeing, that Northrup Grunman, as you quite rightly point out have functions there," he told Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Minister for Veterans Affairs, Senator Michael Ronaldson then defended the move and attacked the Greens senator.

"I take it from this that the Australian Defence Force should not be using this either?Because they indeed carry and use weapons… is that what you're saying?"