Centre Alliance looks to strengthen influence in the Senate by working with Tasmania’s Jacqui Lambie
Crossbench Senators Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff have visited Tasmania to shore up support from independent Jacqui Lambie, who has just been returned to the Senate.
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Centre Alliance crossbenchers Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick have moved to strengthen their influence in the new look Senate by courting Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie.
The two crossbench senators have visited Senator Lambie in Tasmania today to discuss how they can work together on key pieces of legislation.
With the Coalition expected to secure 35 seats it is still short of the magic 39 needed to pass legislation without the support of Labor and the Greens.
If it gains the support of conservative Cory Bernardi, the Coalition will still need to secure three more votes from the crossbench made up of Senator Lambie and two senators from each of One Nation and Centre Alliance.
Senator Griff told The Advertiser Centre Alliance has a lot in common with the former Palmer United Party senator who resigned from the party in 2014 to go it alone.
“She is passionate about her state and we are passionate about our state, it makes sense that we work together where possible on legislation that works for both of our states,” Senator Griff.
“We will continue to talk about ways we can work together to deliver good outcomes.”
“It could be very powerful.”
Senator Patrick said they were looking for “things in Cormann” in a reference to Senator Mathias Cormann — the Coalition’s leader in the Senate and a key cog in legislation negotiations.
“Both of our states have issues with population growth and similar socio-economic status,” Senator Patrick said.
The parochial Tasmanian, who had to leave the senate in 2017 over her British citizenship before being returned yesterday, said her prime focus would still be on her state.
She said due diligence was needed before any decisions were made.
“My job now is to show what having the balance of power can mean to Tasmania. What is best for Tasmania will guide everything I do,” Senator Lambie said.
The Centre Alliance senators are still waiting on more information before they make a decision on the Coalition’s $158 billion tax cuts package.
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