Jacqui Lambie accused of having a drinking problem

JACQUI Lambie’s former chief of staff claims he warned the senator about her problematic drinking.

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie.

JACQUI Lambie was warned about her “excessive alcohol consumption” during work events, according to allegations filed by her former chief of staff.

Rob Messenger has filed a claim in the Federal Court along with his wife Fern for unlawful dismissal, which has been broadened to include allegations about Ms Lambie’s problematic drinking.

According to The Australian Mr Messenger claims he warned the former Tasmanian senator about her workplace drinking on a “regular basis” between 2014 and 2016, and he also complained about her drinking at 11 public events.

He says he told Ms Lambie that her behaviour was considered a breach of “work health and safety and bullying”. He also claims he was too scared to take sick leave as Ms Lambie ridiculed staff for their weakness or suggested that it was inappropriate.

Ms Lambie, who resigned from parliament last week because of her dual citizenship status, has denied the claims.

Mr Messenger was a former Liberal National Party and independent Queensland MP who was introduced to Ms Lambie via ­mining magnate Clive Palmer.

Ms Lambie broke down in Parliament last week announcing her resignation from the Senate after discovering she held dual citizenship.

The independent Tasmanian representative gave a teary address to the upper house, thanking her constituents, staff and her father, whose Scottish heritage her forced her to give up her seat.

Ms Lambie told the chamber she “hadn’t slept for days”, and had received confirmation this morning that her grandfather had failed to renounce his UK citizenship when he arrived in Australia with her father, who was only one year old at the time.

“This makes my dad a Brit by descent and therefore it makes me one too,” she said.

“I love my father to death and hope to not blame him for this. He’s done nothing for which to apologise.

“It’s not because of him that I’m leaving this place, it’s because of him that I’m here in the first place.”

The emotional Senator’s voice wavered throughout the short address which saw her list her achievements during her time in Parliament, including securing a better funding deal for Tasmanian schools, winning a fair pay deal for the Australian Defence Force, and being “the single vote that torpedoed a save package of welfare cuts”.

But it was when Ms Lambie thanked her staff — “my bloody saving grace” — that she was reduced to tears.

“You have proven yourself to be loyal. You’re wonderful, hard working, and I would never have got this far without you,” she said.

Jacqui Lambie has denied the claims. Picture Gary Ramage

QUESTIONS OVER LAMBIE REPLACEMENT

The Tasmanian mayor who expects to replace Ms Lambie in the Senate is confident a High Court test would confirm his eligibility.

The mayor of Devonport, Steve Martin, who was the second pick on the Jacqui Lambie Network ticket at the 2016 election, announced his candidature on Friday.

Legal experts have raised questions over whether his local government position could be regarded as an office of profit under the Crown, which would constitutionally disqualify him from sitting in the upper house.

But Mr Martin made public legal advice from the Clerk of the Senate, from 2016, which he says gives him the all-clear to stand.

“Following the double dissolution, I took every reasonable action and acted to ensure my candidacy did not breach the Australian Constitution,” he told reporters in Devonport.

“The government nor the Senate has referred in the last two decades anyone to the High Court, so it will be up to them.

“I certainly would welcome that opportunity should they refer me.”

In a statement, Ms Lambie wished Mr Martin “all the best”.

“Steve Martin’s decision shows he is willing to take on risk to ensure the Tasmanian people are properly represented by an independent voice,” Ms Lambie said.

“I’m turning my attention to Tasmania’s state election, where my candidates aim to do the same.”