Jacqui ‘Wrecking Ball’ Lambie has become a politician who matters

Jacqui Lambie at Parliament House in Canberra.

An existential threat, Nour Haydar, the ABC, Wednesday:

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has accused both major political parties of lacking the courage to protect Australia from the “existential threat” of Chinese foreign influence. “It’s about time the people in this place woke up to China’s attempts to infiltrate our economy and our democracy … We’re sitting ducks here.” 

David Crowe, The Sydney Morning Herald, November 15:

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has slammed the Morrison government for approving a $1.5 billion Chinese bid for infant formula maker Bellamy’s Organic in a political storm over foreign investment. Senator Lambie called for more disclosure about the deal and warned against a “communist Chinese takeover” of too many companies that should stay in Australian hands.

Secret deal, Brett Worthington, the ABC, December 4:

Labor and the Greens have accused crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie and the government of striking a secret deal to end the medivac laws that allow refugees to come to Australia for medical treatment. The Tasmanian senator, who held the crucial vote on the proposal, has refused to outline the details of her negotiations with the Coalition, insisting it was a matter of national security. 

Tom Stayner, SBS, Wednesday:

Scott Morrison has denied striking a deal with … Jacqui Lambie over the repealing of (medivac) laws … Mr Morrison said scrapping the transfer provisions would restore integrity to border security after Senator Lambie’s crucial support sealed its fate.

Union busting under conditions, Rob Harris, SMH, December 2:

Jacqui Lambie says she is willing to reconsider her support for the Morrison government’s union-busting laws if they include measures to remove controversial construction union boss John Setka. Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter (has) vowed to reintroduce the Ensuring Integrity Bill.

Snooping media, Kirsten Lawson, The Canberra Times, November 11:

Jacqui Lambie has called for an independent media regulator to put the brakes on what she sees as media abuse of its power … Senator Lambie said journalists had tried to access the medical records from her fight with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs … and “snooped around” the personal lives of her staff. “Journalists have taken it upon themselves to determine that whoever I employ becomes a matter of public interest.”

Konrad Marshall, Nine Entertainment’s Good Weekend magazine, November 30:

Few people knew what to make of Jacqui Lambie when she entered federal politics as a senator from Tasmania in 2014. Five years later, she’s become a politician who matters: in some cases, the senator who matters … “A lot of us saw her as an opportunist,” says … commentator Tony Wright. “But she’s an excellent case of a pretty ordinary person who has grown into their job.”

David Crowe, SMH, September 14:

Only in hindsight can Jacqui Lambie see the fury she brought to federal politics when she barged into parliament like an unwanted guest at a high society party. “I was a bloody wrecking ball,” she says now. “I just had no idea what I was doing. I’d come from 10 years … between the bed and the couch and a couple of years in a psych unit. I thought I was fine. When I look back, I think: well, actually, you weren’t bloody fine.”