Senator Jacqui Lambie’s Federal Court hearing moves into day four
Adviser denies his wife shredded documents as his tenure with Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie became “precarious.”
Tasmania
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A POLITICAL Adviser being cross-examined in an unfair dismissal hearing against Tasmanian independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has refuted claims his wife shredded documents five months before the couple were terminated.
Senator Lambie’s Lawyer Nick Harrington claimed in the Federal Court in Melbourne that in December, 2016, former chief of staff Rob Messenger drove his wife Fern to the Senator’s Burnie office – despite her calling in sick that day.
Mr Harrington submitted to Mr Messenger that he waited outside in the car while his wife went into the office and placed some documents in a security bin and shredded others.
“No, she didn’t do that,” Mr Messenger told the court.
Mr Harrington told the hearing. before Justice John Snaden, the couple were visiting doctors and obtaining stress leave as it became apparent their jobs were tentative.
Mr Messenger agreed Fern had flown home from Canberra to Tasmania and both were having a lot of time off – backed by medical certificates.
“Your employment status was in a very precarious position at that time was it not?” Mr Harrington said.
Mr Messenger said the Senator’s office was not a properly functioning workplace and he and his wife were becoming ill from the stress.
Mr Messenger was then asked why he signed up for another six years as media Adviser when Senator Lambie was re-elected after having to stand down during Australian Parliament’s dual citizenship crisis.
“If you were so concerned about how the office was run and the Senator’s behaviour it was open to you to leave her employ?,” Mr Harrington asked.
“If it was such an awful place to work you are a man of many skills you could have left.”
Mr Messenger agreed that was an option.
Mr Harrington suggested to Mr Messenger that Senator Lambie cried in a staff meeting the couple called to outline their complaints – in particular about her alleged mood swings.
Mr Messenger denied that suggestion.
“Unless she was crying on the inside while yelling at us,” he quipped.
The hearing continues.
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