Jacqui Lambie’s announces big call on her party’s role in Tasmanian politics
Firebrand independent senator Jacqui Lambie has made a major call in the future for her party in Tasmania state politics.
Jacqui Lambie says she is “not big enough” to help give ordinary Tasmanians “a shot in politics”, revealing she will no longer run candidates in the state’s parliament after dumping two MPs.
State MPs Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland were both kicked out over claims they weren’t upholding the party’s values of “transparency, integrity, and accountability”.
Now Senator Lambie says the “days of giving ordinary Tasmanians a go are over”.
“I will say to those ordinary Tasmanians now that want a shot in politics, I am not big enough to make that happen,” Senator Lambie told ABC Radio on Thursday.
“Those days of giving ordinary Tasmanians a go are over.”
She said Andrew Jenner would be her party’s last Tasmanian state MP, but she would support him if he wants to run in another state election.
“I’ll be backing him to the hilt, that is my promise,” she said.
She apologised to Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, after he was able to form government after the March election only with the support with the three Jacqui Lambie Network team.
“That’s put a little bit of pressure on him as well, and that’s not something that was ever in my intention,” she said.
“Whatever Jeremy does to help this to make sure that Tasmania stays in stability I will be very grateful for, he can probably do a better job than what I’m doing.”
The party is still running candidates at the federal election, due by May next year.
Senator Lambie has so far announced Glenn Kolomeitz will be on the party’s NSW ticket, while Ange Harper will run for Queensland.
“You know, those people deserve a run, and I’m going to give them a run,” Senator Lambie said.
“They are professionals with their backgrounds not just being veterans.
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