Tasmanian state election: Jacqui Lambie Network confident of four seats in expanded house
Jacqui Lambie has vowed not to accept political donations from unions or big business as she offers a sneak peak at JLNs preparations for the next Tasmanian election – and its 35 seats up for grabs.
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As she prepares to make an all-out bid to win seats in the Tasmanian parliament, Jacqui Lambie says her candidates will not rely on political donations to “buy seats”.
The senator, who founded the Jacqui Lambie Network after resigning from the Palmer United Party, is confident of winning seats in the expanded 35-seat House of Assembly and has promised her party will not rely on political donations.
“We believe in transparency, we want to do something about political donations,” Senator Lambie said.
“I’ve seen what political donations do – they buy seats – people don’t earn them.
“I’ve had a gutful of them.
“My candidates will be out there earning them, that’s what they’ll be doing not buying seats, they will be earning them.”
In last year’s federal poll, the JLN saw Tammy Tyrrell elected as its second senator.
Senator Lambie said donations to the JLN would be recorded and published for voters to see.
“I spend bugger all on me and will not be taking money from unions or big business.
“We want political donation reform.”
The JLN will not stand any candidates in Clark at the next state election but will run in the other four seats.
Senator Lambie is confident of winning four seats and believes more independents will seek election in Clark.
“We don’t get a good reception in Clark but maybe next time,” she said.
“We’re looking for more candidates for Bass and Braddon but we’ve got good candidates in Lyons who’ve already been out there.”
One of the Lyons candidates has worked for former British PM Theresa May.
Senator Lambie believes Premier Jeremy Rockliff will call an election in May next year – a year ahead of the federal poll.
“The longer he leaves it, the more chance we’re going to have of getting seats, so that’s what he needs to work out.
“I think the problem in Tasmanian politics is instead of doing 35 seats, I would have given more staff and paid more money, because most of the members of parliament have no idea what they’re doing anyway, they’ve got to bring in experts.
“Those ministers have departments that they haven’t taken control of. It’s the public service who call the shots which is exactly what is happening federally.”
Election analyst Kevin Bonham said with a 35-seat House of Assembly the JLN could win seats.
“Their chances are better with the northern seats and I expect it would be very close and they could win a seat in Braddon,” Dr Bonham said.
“It depends on what candidates are running.
“You need good candidates not a bunch of no-names.
“Braddon is their stronghold, but they did well in Lyons in the last federal election so that is one to keep an eye on.”
Dr Bonham said the JLN was less likely to win a seat in Franklin though there was support in parts of the “outer eastern shore”.
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Originally published as Tasmanian state election: Jacqui Lambie Network confident of four seats in expanded house
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