JLN sole survivor Andrew Jenner demands less restrictive new deal with Rockliff government

Tasmania’s last remaining Jacqui Lambie Network MP, Andrew Jenner, has declared his support deal with the government null and void. Here’s what he wants in as new deal.

Andrew Jenner, the last remaining state member of the Jacqui Lambie Network, in his office at parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmanian parliament’s sole remaining Jacqui Lambie Network member, Andrew Jenner, has declared his support deal with the Rockliff government as null and void, saying any new agreement would require less restrictive terms.

And the Member for Lyons has vowed to work with former party-room colleagues Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick, despite admitting he had not spoken to either since their sudden weekend axing.

Former JLN members Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick, who represent Bass and Braddon, respectively, were removed from the minor party on Saturday. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Claiming the now-independents were not appropriately committed to holding the Rockliff government to account, Mr Jenner issued a fresh warning to under-siege Treasurer Michael Ferguson against cutting any frontline services in next month’s state budget.

Mr Jenner also welcomed Mr Ferguson’s recent resignation as Infrastructure Minister, which followed ongoing political pressure over the delayed rollout of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

“I mean, that is a monumental cock-up to be honest,” Mr Jenner said on Tuesday.

“It’s costing us about $500m plus, and it will carry on for years to come.

“And under the Westminster system, the minister is responsible. You can’t keep passing the buck down the line.”

Member for Braddon Miriam Beswick, Member for Lyons Andrew Jenner, and Member for Bass, Rebekah Pentland before the party split. Monday, April 8, 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Jenner said that although Senator Lambie remained insistent that Mr Ferguson quit the frontbench altogether, following her original call for his resignation a fortnight ago, he indicated he would reserve judgment until the Public Accounts Committee reported on its inquiry into the TT-Line Spirits Project.

The Member for Lyons said he was particularly keen to hear evidence from the government-owned ferry operator’s former chair, Michael Grainger, who was forced to resign earlier this month after an escalating war of words with Mr Ferguson over infrastructure issues at the Devonport terminal.

“As to whether he should be Treasurer, Jacqui wants him out, and I agree,” Mr Jenner said.

“But I would like to wait and hear what the Public Accounts Committee has got to say before we move on that.

“And I’d like to hold him accountable as Treasurer.

“I’ve said I don’t want to cut frontline staff in health or schools.

“I think there’s lots that can be done (in the budget) – it’s not for me to work out how it should be done, you don’t need to deliver all your election promises in the first year.”

Senator Jacqui Lambie in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Jenner said that although he was open to striking a new confidence and supply agreement with the Rockliff government, any deal would be significantly different to the much-criticised one he, Ms Pentland and Ms Beswick signed in April.

“The first agreement was good because we got both reports from Saul Eslake and Dr Gruen, but I think we moved on past that now,” he said.

“I need the flexibility not to be restrained in any way in binding adjournments and obviously on the budget.

“So I’ll be looking to do the agreement that gives me that freedom.

“I’ll sign it as soon as they agree to my terms.”

Speaking on the state’s East Coast, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had been in discussions with all three original JLN members about new support deals with the government, and indicated he expected to receive the signatures of Ms Pentland and Ms Beswick by the end of Tuesday.

“I’ve has a very brief conversation with Andrew, and it’s very likely that we will have a new deal with him,” Mr Rockliff said.

“But two thirds of the JLN are now gone, so it’s about being pragmatic about what will work best.

“So I’m willing to sit down with Andrew and have a chat.

“He’s a good fella and we get on well.

“And I believe that every single person who was elected on March 23rd wants what’s best for the Tasmanian community.”

Mr Jenner said that despite his attempts to keep the fledgling Tasmanian JLN intact, and belief that its members were stronger as a party, he supported Senator Lambie’s call to cut Ms Pentland and Ms Beswick adrift.

While lamenting the breakdown of a political union that formed less than six months ago following the state election, Mr Jenner said his former colleagues had “crossed the line” with the party boss.

“I think half the problem was that we were almost given too much freedom,” he said.

“I’ve been in politics for a while, so know that you follow certain party lines.

“I think Rebecca and Miriam almost acted as independents right from the beginning.

“Perhaps Jackie should have been stricter.

“But she said ‘get on with it, I’ll help you when you need it’.

“And it’s worked for me, but just perhaps not for the ladies.”