Publicly released letters reveal the Jacqui Lambie Network’s key state budget requests

Among the JLN MPs’ budget requests, the party has revealed it does not support a “decadent” election promise that it believes “says to the public let them eat cake”. Here’s what they want.

Question time in the Tasmanian Parliament, Member for Braddon Miriam Beswick, Member for Lyons Andrew Jenner, and Member for Bass, Rebekah Pentland of the Jacqui Lambie Network . Picture: Chris Kidd

Cost of living relief and support for regional areas are the key focuses of the Jacqui Lambie Network’s (JLN) pre-budget requests to the Liberals.

The 2024-25 state budget will be revealed on September 12, having been moved from its original date of May 30 due to the early election.

On Saturday, the three JLN MPs - Andrew Jenner, Miriam Beswick, and Rebekah Pentland - publicly released the letters outlining their budget bids to Treasurer Michael Ferguson and Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

“I can confirm that the Tasmanian Government has received budget process submissions from the JLN,” Mr Ferguson said.

“These will be considered among with others submissions as part of the normal budget process, however I welcome their initiative and commend their focus on improving the cost of living for Tasmanian families.

“We look forward to working together over the coming weeks and months to deliver for Tasmanians.”

Treasurer Michael Ferguson. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

In a letter addressed to the Premier and Treasurer by all three JLN MPs, the party called for increased funding for police, public transport, and the development of a population growth strategy, among other bids.

In a separate letter, Mr Jenner asked the Liberals to conduct a $1 million feasibility study to bring Costco, or a budget supermarket equivalent, to Tasmania to reduce grocery prices.

The JLN MPs said in their combined letter that unless the current review of state finances showed “a clear value for the Tasmanian people”, they would not be supporting the Macquarie Point stadium.

“In addition, we do not believe The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury is a priority for the

Tasmanian people who are far more concerned about basic cost of living,” the letter read.

“Supporting this decadent facility says to the public ‘let them eat cake’.”