‘We’re all adults’: Lambie says she’ll put Tasmania first in her role as kingmaker

The Jacqui Lambie Network could be the key to securing the next government, and its leader has highlighted their key priorities. When the Senator is set to meet with Jeremy Rockliff.

Senator Jacqui Lambie founder of the Lambie Network at her party's event at the Launceston RSL as the votes are tallied in the 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Patrick Gee

Building trust and transparency — and not an AFL stadium — is top of the Jacqui Lambie Network’s wishlist, the party’s founder said on Monday.

Senator Lambie has found herself in the role of kingmaker following Saturday’s state election.

The Liberals look set to secure 15 seats in the 35-seat House of Assembly and will need the votes of three more MPs to survive no-confidence motions and to pass budget bills.

Senator Jacqui Lambie and founder of the Lambie Network, centre, with Bass candidates Angela Armstrong, left, and Rebekah Pentland at an event at the Launceston RSL as the votes are tallied in the 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Patrick Gee

The Lambie Network is in contention to secure up to three seats.

Senator Lambie says the Network was willing to work with anyone to make a better to Tasmania but was waiting to see which of her candidates were successful before meeting Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff at the weekend.

She said she was willing to work with Mr Rockliff provided “he stays there for the four years because that’s not going to bring stability to Tasmania if he doesn’t.”

“We’re all adults. I don’t care what party you’re falling under because first and foremost, it should be about Tasmania,” she said.

“I don’t give a stuff about your political donations, because we don’t take them. What I want is the best decisions made in the best interests of the people of Tasmania.

Senator Lambie said the Liberals had offered to return the controversial domain name used to host a “fake” Lambie Network website during the campaign. The website appeared to have been taken down on Monday.

Lambie Network candidates for Braddon, Miriam Beswick and Craig Cutts, are joined by Senator and party leader Jacqui Lambie as they cast their vote at Reece High School in Devonport in the 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Patrick Gee

She said she was not inclined to back the proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie Point.

“They weren’t transparent. This is a deal between Jeremy Rockliff and the AFL and it should have been a deal done with the people of Tasmania and the AFL — and that was never done,” she said.

“They were not transparent about it at all at all.”

The Lambie Network’s priorities would be improving outcomes in the issues that dominated the campaign, Senator Lambie said.

“Things like housing, health we need to do something there,” she said.

“We need to work out how we’re going to get people into those jobs because there’s so many vacant.

“That’s why we need to look at the books. Can we offer more to drive them down here?

“Is there another way we can do this where we say we’ll pay your uni fees, but you’re going to owe us five years of service?”