Jacqui Lambie’s office misconduct began with infamous ‘well hung’ remark, former staffer claims

Senator Jacqui Lambie hit headlines for asking a radio listener “Are you well hung?” Her ex-chief of staff alleges it was the start of bad office behaviour. LATEST >>

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AN EX-STAFFER of Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has told a Federal Court unfair dismissal hearing his work relationship with the Burnie politician soured after a radio interview in 2014.

Ms Lambie’s former chief of staff Rob Messenger told the court that after she made “sensational” comments about her sex life on Hobart commercial radio.

Her infamous comments about liking men who are rich, silent and have “a package between their legs” were the starting point of her alleged office misconduct, including constant profanity, sexual references, and a glib attitude to safety.
Her office was inundated with calls from angry Tasmanians, Mr Messenger said.

Senator Jacqui Lambie, her Chief of Staff Rob Messenger and her lawyer Glynn Williams before speaking at a press conference after she announced she has resigned from the Palmer United Party at Parliament House in Canberra in 2014.

The unexpected remarks in mid-2014 came three weeks after Ms Lambie had entered parliament and catapulted the new senator into the spotlight.

During the interview with Kim and Dave on Heart FM, Ms Lambie said her ideal man “must have heaps of cash and they’ve got to have a package between their legs, let’s be honest … and I don’t need them to speak.”

She then asked a listener who had called in, “Are you well-hung?”

Mr Messenger did not find the comments funny.

Now he and his wife, Fern Messenger, who also worked for Ms Lambie, are suing the senator and the Commonwealth for unlawful dismissal.

Senator Jacqui Lambie senator sparks controversy after appearing on Hobart radio station Heart 107.3’s Kim and Dave Show. When asked about her ideal man she said, “They must have heaps of cash and they’ve got to have a package between their legs, let’s be honest."

They allege they were sacked as reprisal for making numerous complaints about Ms Lambie’s conduct.

“I complained to Senator Lambie about her comments and the damage to her reputation and advised her to issue an apology,” Mr Messenger told the hearing being presided over by Justice John Snaden.

“But she said she was proud of the comments and would not walk back from them. From that point onwards she exhibited aggressive, wildly erratic behaviour.”

READ DAY 1 OF THE COURT COVERAGE HERE >>

Mr Messenger was pulled up repeatedly for “making speeches” during the second day of the hearing in the Federal Court in Melbourne.

Mr Messenger again raised his claims that Senator Lambie had a problem with alcohol saying he had talked to her about her consumption on numerous occasions including at a hotel in Sydney and a seafood restaurant in Darling Harbour.

Senator Jacqui Lambie. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

“I took measures to limit her consumption including suggesting we drink other beverages and took charge of ordering the drinks,” he told the court.

Justice Snaden interjected.

“That is not making a complaint or an inquiry and that is what this hearing is about,” Justice Snaden said.

Mr Messenger also accused Ms Lambie and the Commonwealth of offering a “negligent” response after the Burnie office received an Islamic State-themed death threat that appeared to be a response to the senator’s comments on Islam.

Former National Party Member of Parliament Rob Messenger and his wife Fern who has become involved in an extraordinary legal row.

In the afternoon session, Mr Messenger told the court at a meeting in July, 2016 – just after Senator Lambie was re-elected and formed the Jacqui Lambie Network – to raise workplace concerns that she should not tell her staff she had “not been laid.”

He said he also complained that staff were getting “suicide calls” from war veterans.

“We were dealing with 640 veteran files,” he said telling the court the workload was onerous.

“I complained about the excessive hours myself and Fern were working and that staff were expected to do work on leave.”

READ DAY 1 OF THE COURT COVERAGE HERE >>

A Former National Party MP Mr Messenger – and his wife Fern, who also worked for Senator Lambie – have become involved in an extraordinary legal row.

The married couple’s employment with Senator Lambie’s office finished in May 2017 and the pair allege they are victims of adverse actions and reprisal under the Public Interest Disclosure Act and the Fair Work Act.

Senator Lambie’s counsel has previously argued Mr Messenger’s claims constituted a public smear campaign by a bitter ex-employee.

Senator Lambie is vigorously defending her decision to terminate the couple’s employment.