‘I’d never say that’: Lambie hits back at homophobia accusation

Outspoken senator Jacqui Lambie has hit back after being accused of calling the chief executive of Qantas a homophobic slur.

WARNING: Offensive language

Outspoken senator Jacqui Lambie has hit back at an accusation she used a homophobic slur during a rant at Qantas staff in March.

The Age reported on Thursday morning that Ms Lambie had threatened staff members with “pussy power” and referred to Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who is gay, with a homophobic slur.

“Your CEO is a poof,” she was reported as saying in the incident on March 25 in the Chairman’s Lounge in Melbourne.

But in a Twitter thread on Friday, the Tasmanian firebrand said she may have been out of line to “blow her top” at a Qantas worker after a long day, but adamantly denied saying anything homophobic.

“I never said it. I’d never say that. I know I can’t just deny it and expect people to believe me, so I went and got proof. I’ve got witnesses confirming I never said it. Qantas doesn’t think I said it,” she said.

I never said it. I’d never say that.

I know I can’t just deny it and expect people to believe me, so I went and got proof.

I’ve got witnesses confirming I never said it.

Qantas doesn’t think I said it. (1/3) https://t.co/bboAvmbUT3

— Jacqui Lambie (@JacquiLambie) May 28, 2021

“I’m not a homophobe, and I don’t know why someone is anonymously accusing me of being one. It never happened. What did happen was I blew my top at a Qantas worker who didn’t deserve it, and I apologised to them, I’ll apologise now, and I’ll wear the consequences.

“But I can’t apologise for something I never did. I never used that homophobic slur. Anyone who knows me knows it’s something I’d never do.”

Qantas also released a statement on Friday confirming Ms Lambie’s version of events.

“While Qantas typically doesn’t comment on individual customer matters, the allegation of hate speech being used in our lounges requires a response,” the statement said.

“We have confirmed with our lounge staff that Senator Lambie did not make a homophobic remark as part of the incident for which she has apologised.”

On Thursday, the senator explained why she had been banned by Qantas for six months, with a blow-up at staff behind the embarrassing measure.

Ms Lambie revealed to Today on Thursday morning she had apologised after she “blew her stack” at staff.

“I have apologised profusely, I went on a rant and I deserve everything I got from Qantas,” she said.

“I’ve tried to apologise to those staff members and I’ve even written a letter myself apologising for that a few months ago.

“That ban will stay – I deserve every bit of that ban, and once again I am profusely apologetic to those staff members involved.”

Senator Jacqui Lambie says she deserved the ban. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

But she says she did not use a homophobic slur to describe Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

The Tasmanian senator said she let rip at staff members after a long day.

“It had been a long few weeks up in parliament, and it’s just been a really, really long year,” she said.

“Basically, I blew my stack.

“Unfortunately, there were a couple of Qantas staff members that wore that, and they should never have worn that, and basically it was really unfair of me to do what I did to them.

“I am extremely apologetic for my behaviour for that few minutes.”

After her explanation, host Karl Stefanovic had a cheeky offer for the firebrand politician.

“If you want to let off some steam just call Ali or me,” he joked, referencing co-host Allison Langdon.

“I’ve got your number,” Ms Lambie returned.