Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner makes call on Tasmanian budget

Andrew Jenner, the sole remaining state Jacqui Lambie Network MP, has revealed whether he will support the passage of the state budget through parliament.

Andrew Jenner MP. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner says he will not support the passage of the state budget through the parliament, demanding the Liberals crack down on pork barrelling during election campaigns and criticising the government’s $375m spend on the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

Mr Jenner is understood to have a verbal confidence and supply agreement with Premier Jeremy Rockliff but has said he won’t sign a formal deal.

The sole remaining state member of the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) said he couldn’t support the 2024-25 budget because it was “incredibly reckless and completely irresponsible”.

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner says he won’t support the passage of the state budget through the parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It comes after independent economist Saul Eslake undertook a review of the state’s finances following a request from the JLN. His scathing report found that the state’s infrastructure spend was unsustainable and recommended the government abandon its effort to impose efficiency dividends on the public service.

Mr Jenner said Tasmania’s finances “read like an accounting shambles, with spending far outstripping revenue”.

“I will not be supporting a budget which allocates hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars for a stadium at the expense of other priorities which will have a far bigger impact on the lives of everyday Tasmanians,” Mr Jenner said.

The budget, handed down last week, forecast a deficit of $792m this financial year, with further shortfalls totalling $885m over the next three years. Meanwhile, net debt is predicted to rise to $8.5bn in 2027-28 and the government plans to spend $5.1bn on capital infrastructure projects over the next four years.

The Premier says there is a “pathway to surplus” but this isn’t likely to be achieved until 2028-29 at the earliest.

There are 14 Liberal members in the lower house but 18 votes required to govern. However, they have the numbers to pass the budget, enjoying confidence and supply agreements with independents Rebekah Pentland, Miriam Beswick, David O’Byrne, and Kristie Johnston.

Mr Jenner has urged the government to implement the recommendations of an Integrity Commission report into election campaign conduct and offences under Tasmania’s Electoral Act.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The recommendations included the establishment of a cost-benefit analysis for every grant promised by political parties to community groups or sport organisations, which would likely eliminate the practice of pork barrelling.

Mr Jenner said “vote-buying schemes” needed to be banned before the next election.

Labor has announced it would appoint an independent assessment panel to determine the legitimacy of grants doled out at election time.

Mr Rockliff has described the proposal as “bull crap” and believes it would hand the responsibility of local MPs over to unelected bureaucrats. He has since written to organisations who were promised funding during the election campaign and assured them they would still be receiving the grants.

“Labor has pledged to work with the Greens, who strongly support their stance and want to change the law as soon as possible,” he wrote.