JLN maintains budget rage as ‘lost Lambies’ are tagged Liberal patsies

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner has maintained his one-man opposition to the state budget in a rare move as it passed through the House of Assembly.

Andrew Jenner Lambie Network member for Lyons. Return to the House of Assembly question time. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner has maintained his one-man opposition to the state budget — as his former colleagues turned independents were accused of being “Liberal patsies”.

On Thursday Mr Jenner symbolically voted against the supply bills as they passed through the House of Assembly.

The bills passed “on the voices” meaning no formal voting record was taken, but Mr Jenner said he “could not in good conscience” support the 2024/25 Budget — which he said put the demands of Liberal Party over the needs of Tasmanians.

“It is undeniable that this budget has been one of the most highly criticised budgets in Tasmania’s history. It will plunge Tasmanians into unprecedented debt,” he said.

“This is a budget that does not prioritise Tasmanians – it is incredibly reckless, and in my opinion completely irresponsible.

“Every single Tasmanian who runs a household knows that the way to get yourself into debt is by spending more than you earn.

“This is exactly what this government has done and what it plans to keep doing.”

Rebekah Pentland Independent member for Bass. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Jenner’s now-independent former colleagues faced scrutiny of their own on Thursday after MP Rebekah Pentland asked a question that sounded to some observers like a free kick for the government.

She condemned “predictably negative Labor”, “wannabe Premier Mr Winter” and asked if an alleged Liberal plan to lease out the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries until their berth was ready might not be a good idea.

Labor’s Luke Edmunds said the former Lambie members had to show “they’re not just a patsy for the Liberal Party”.

“People want to see a government held to account. If they wanted a Liberal, they’d vote for a Liberal,” he said.

Labor MLC Luke Edmunds speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

“We’ve got a diverse Parliament here, but you just throw up alley-oops for ministers to slam dunk is a complete waste of the parliament’s time.”

Independent Kristie Johnston also said the question was a sitter.

“It’s a shame that what appears to have happened this morning was a Dorothy Dixer from the crossbench,” she said.

“Our role there is to represent Tasmanians and to be independent on the crossbench, in particular where you call yourself independent — and to hold the government to account

Mrs Pentland rejected the criticism.

“Any suggestion we’re too close to the Liberals is laughable.

“We’ve been extremely critical of this year’s budget and the way the Government has overseen the Spirits debacle.

“I had a crack at Labor this morning because they can dish it out but not take it. I’m not going to apologising for standing up for myself.

The question we asked the Premier was not a Dorothy Dixer.”

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said saw the former Lambies as reliable allies for the government.

“I don’t see them acting independently of the Liberals in government any longer,” she said.