Lambie ‘warned of drink problem’

Jacqui Lambie was warned consistently about her ‘excessive alcohol consumption’, says a former chief of staff.

Senator Jacqui Lambie. Picture Kym Smith

Former crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie was warned consistently about her “excessive alcohol consumption” while she was at work, travelling for work and while meeting with stakeholders, according to allegations filed by her former chief of staff.

In an amended statement of claim filed to the Federal Court, Rob Messenger claims he warned Ms Lambie about her problematic workplace drinking on a ­“regular basis” between 2014 and 2016, as well as complaining about her drinking at 11 public events.

Mr Messenger alleged he told Ms Lambie her alcohol-affected behaviour would be considered a breach of “work health and safety and bullying”.

The new allegations are part of a broadened lawsuit Mr Messenger and his wife Fern have filed against Ms Lambie for unlawful dismissal.

Ms Lambie resigned from the Senate last week after being ­embroiled in the dual citizenship fiasco but has vowed a political comeback and would consider running for the Tasmanian lower house seat of Braddon.

Ms Lambie yesterday denied Mr Messenger’s claims.

“Rob Messenger’s amendments are full of false claims and Jacqui looks forward to the ­opportunity to defend herself against them, but as it is before the courts, Jacqui cannot comment further,” a spokeswoman for Ms Lambie said.

Mr Messenger said he could not say anything further about Ms Lambie because he had signed a 10-year confidentially contract when he worked in her office.

“If Jacqui Lambie isn’t scared of the truth and has nothing to hide then she will tear up those staff confidentially contracts,’’ he said.

“The people of Tasmania ­deserve to hear all the facts and both sides of the story before they ­decide on Jacqui Lambie’s political future.”

The Australian understands Mr Messenger wants to work for Ms Lambie’s replacement, Steve Martin, but the incoming senator is reluctant to hire him, fearing it will annoy the party leader.

Mr Messenger has accused the office of Malcolm Turnbull of being behind a leak of his initial complaints about Ms Lambie when he alleged she had taken staff shopping for sex toys, spoken inappropriately and incoherently, and engaged in “unpredictable” and “angry” behaviour.

Mr Messenger, a former Liberal National Party and independent Queensland MP who was introduced to Ms Lambie via ­mining magnate Clive Palmer, also claimed the Tasmanian ridiculed staff who took sick leave, suggesting it was inappropriate or a sign of weakness.

As a result, Mr Messenger’s amended statement of claim says he was scared to take sick leave and accrued 300 hours.

He accused Ms Lambie of telling him she wanted to replace a staff member who took carer’s leave to visit her mother in palliative care.

Mr Messenger yesterday said he did nothing wrong and only tried to ensure staff members had a safe workplace.

“The government and Jacqui Lambie have the power to sort out this mess in mediation,’’ he said. “If they don’t then we’ll all go into to the witness box under oath and a judge can work out who’s telling the truth and what happened.”