Jacqui Lambie’s office manager prepared to take on stalwart Eric Abetz’s Senate seat
In just a few months time a 51-year-old political staffer from Tassie’s North West will attempt to wrench a Senate seat from one of Tasmania’s longest-serving politicians - Eric Abetz.
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IN JUST a few months time, Jacqui Lambie staffer Tammy Tyrrell will attempt to wrench a Senate seat from one of Tasmania’s longest-serving politicians - Eric Abetz.
The 51-year-old from Ulverstone says she’s “up for it”.
“We’re out in the community quite a lot and it’s so positive out there. It’s so encouraging and
I believe I could be a good Senator. I’m listening and learning,” she said.
“Senator Abetz has been around for a very long time and from what I’m hearing in the community, they’re wanting change.
“I’m up for it. If the people in the community choose me on election day, I’m all for it.”
Ms Tyrrell said she’d already had “a bit of an apprenticeship in political life”, travelling extensively with Senator Lambie over the years as her office manager.
She said her children were full-grown but knew “I’m there when they need me” and that she and her partner regularly spent time apart.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” she said.
“I’m willing to make the heart grow fonder for as many years as the people will have me.”
Ms Tyrrell said her key issues heading into the election, expected to be held in May, included conditions for aged care staff, the establishment of a federal Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
“I would keep on fighting for the ICAC until I’m not here any longer. We need accountability. We need to make sure those higher up the food chain are held to account,” she said.
Senator Abetz said he had “devoted” himself to the service of the Tasmanian people and looked forward to continuing to advance the state’s interests in Canberra.
“As always the people of Tasmania will decide whether I’m given the privilege of serving them in the Senate,” he said.
“Tasmanians know all too well what happens when we have Labor/Green/Independent government on us. Jobs disappear, the economy tanks and our children move interstate. We’ve reversed that trend with the correct policy mix and I hope to be part of continuing that with a Liberal government.”
Six Tasmanian Senate seats will be contested in this year’s election, with Liberal Senators Jono Duniam, Wendy Askew and Eric Abetz all throwing their hats into the ring along with Labor incumbents Helen Polley and Anne Urquhart, and Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.
Liberals Claire Chandler and Richard Colbeck, Labor’s Catryna Bilyk and Carol Brown, Jacqui Lambie, and Greens Senator Nick McKim are safe until 2025.
Last year, party preselectors made the decision to drop stalwart Senator Abetz to third place on the 2022 Liberal Senate ticket.
Political analysts have predicted that the running of a Jacqui Lambie Network candidate could pose the biggest threat to the Liberals’ chances of winning a third seat.
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