Jacqui Lambie Network

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Jacqui Lambie Network
AbbreviationJLN
PresidentJacqui Lambie
LeaderJacqui Lambie
SecretaryChris Hannan
Founded14 May 2015; 9 years ago (2015-05-14)
Split fromPalmer United Party
HeadquartersShop 4, 22 Mount Street, Burnie, Tasmania
Ideology
Colours  Gold
House of Representatives
0 / 5
(Tas. seats)
Senate
1 / 12
(Tas. seats)
House of Assembly
3 / 35
Legislative Council
0 / 15
Circular Head Council
1 / 9
Website
lambienetwork.com.au

The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) is a political party in Australia, formed in May 2015, bearing the name of its founder, Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie. The party is currently supporting the Rockliff Liberal Government in confidence and supply in Tasmania.

The JLN has maintained populist support for working class "battlers", especially welfare recipients.[3][4]

History

The JLN was formed to allow Lambie to re-contest her Senate seat at the 2016 federal election, after she resigned from the Palmer United Party in November 2014. It gained 8.3% of the Senate popular vote in Tasmania in 2016, slightly increasing its vote share to 8.9% at the 2019 election.

In November 2017, she was revealed to hold Australian-British dual citizenship, having inherited British citizenship from her Scottish-born father. As part of the parliamentary eligibility crisis, she announced her resignation on 14 November 2017. After a recount, she was replaced by Devonport Mayor Steve Martin, who had been second on the JLN ticket in the 2016 federal election.

Steve Martin Expelled

He survived a challenge to his own eligibility, on a different constitutional ground, but refused to step down so as to create a casual Senate vacancy to which Lambie could be appointed. She later expelled him from the party for disloyalty.[5]

The JLN also fielded candidates for the 2018 Tasmanian state election. In the 2022 federal election, the party was successful in electing a second party member Tammy Tyrrell into the Senate, increasing its parliamentary composition to two senators for the first time.[6]

Tammy Tyrrell asked to resign

On 28 March 2024, Tammy Tyrrell announced she would resign from the Jacqui Lambie Network to sit as an independent, saying that Lambie was "not happy" with the way she was representing the party.[7]

On 1 August 2024, Tammy Tyrrell was forced to put the record straight on why she left, after an interview on ABC Radio Hobart where Jacqui Lambie incorrectly stated she had no idea why Senator Tyrrell left.[8]

“I resigned because Jacqui told me to leave. She told me, in her own words, to go it alone. She might not remember saying it but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. We worked together for eight years. When someone you’ve been that close to for eight years tells you they want you to ‘go it alone’, what do you do? When I realised I was in a partnership with someone who didn’t want me there, I pulled the pin. When your partner wants you gone, you don’t really have a choice".[9]

Foray into Tasmanian State Politics

Despite not retaining her Federal Party cohorts, Jacqui Lambie announced that she would be putting forward candidates for the 2024 Tasmanian state election.[10]

In this election, the JLN won seats in the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the first time.[11]Three candidates were elected.[12] The party contested all seats except for Clark.[13]

On 10 April 2024, an agreement with the minority Liberal government was reached to provide confidence and supply. [14] This deal has been criticised by current and former state MPs for rendering the party incapable of being independent. [15]

On 2 July 2024, the three elected JLN state members were reported to have issued a "butt out" legal notice to Jacqui Lambie. It was claimed she was directing them how to vote.[16]

On 16 August 2024, Jacqui Lambie issued a statement demanding Michael Ferguson resigns from the Tasmanian State Government, despite her MPs keeping the party in government. [17]

On 20 August 2024, JLN Members Rebekah Pentland and Andrew Jenner were interviewed on ABC Hobart's morning programme, where Andrew Jenner agreed with Jacqui Lambie's call to remove Michael Ferguson as treasurer. In the same interview, Rebekah Pentland stated she found Jacqui Lambie's interference in Tasmanian State Parliament, "not very helpful'.[18]

In the same interview, Andrew Jenner claimed that Tasmanian Salmon Aquaculture has pad no taxes for three years. This has been disputed by Luke Martin, CEO of Salmon Tasmania.[19]

National Policies

While announcing the formation of the party, Lambie revealed the party's 12 "core beliefs", including establishing a national apprentice, trade and traineeship system incorporating both the Australian Defence Force and TAFEs, dedicated Indigenous seats in parliament, and supporting the introduction of a carbon tax.[20]

Nationalism and views on Islam

Early in her political career, Lambie promoted firm nationalist sentiments, first in opposition to Sharia law,[21] and more recently about "Chinese foreign interference".[22] In an interview with ABC News in 2018, Lambie distanced herself from her previous views on Sharia law, stating she did not want to "cause division", and was influenced by "a previous advisor that was really driving that in".[23]

On 22 August 2024, Lambie was accused by fellow Senator Mehreen Faruqi of anti Muslim sentiment during a parliamentary debate over Australia's granting of visas for Palestinians. "I had to sit here and listen to Senator (Jacqui) Lambie attack and vilify Muslims and she couldn’t even pronounce my name", she claimed on SBS News.[24]

Royal commission into veteran suicide

In response to a Change.org petition organised by Julie-Ann Finney, whose son David Finney killed himself after a crippling battle with post-traumatic stress injury,[25] Lambie has called for a royal commission into veteran suicide.[26]

The Morrison Government announced their intention to appoint a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention to inquire into the deaths by suicide of serving and former ADF members.[27]

Lambie criticised the Government's plan in a dissenting report, noting that "The families of veterans who have taken their own lives support a Royal Commission. The institutions who are being blamed for those suicides support a National Commissioner."[28]

On 8 July 2021, a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in Australia was established.[29]

Political donations

Lambie introduced a bill to the Australian Senate in February 2020 that proposes to tighten political donations laws.[30] The bill seeks to amend current laws that permit political donations under $14,300 to not be disclosed.[31] Lambie has proposed lowering this threshold to $2,500.

The bill also proposes to introduce electoral expenditure accounts for organisations that run political campaigns. This will compel parties and others to disclose the source of any money they spend on their electoral campaigns.[32]

Australian manufacturing

In early 2020, Lambie started a campaign[33] to support Australian manufacturing with concerns about Australia's reliance on foreign imported products; she believes these concerns are a threat to Australia's economic sovereignty; magnified with the advent of COVID-19.[34]

Foreign interference

Lambie has said on her website "It’s about time that the people in Parliament woke up to China’s attempts to infiltrate our economy and our democracy."[35] Her concerns are echoed by Duncan Lewis, formerly the Director-General of Security at ASIO.[36]

Taxation

Upon its application to register as a political party in 2015, it was described that the party would "favour the introduction of a financial transactions tax".[37]

Tasmanian Policy

The JLN ran for parliament with a no policy agenda. [38]

Board

The party's board was kept secret until 1 August 2024, when it was revealed by Lambie in an interview on ABC Radio Hobart.[39]

Lambie has served as party president since July 2024, while former Tasmanian state election candidate Chris Hannan is the secretary, former RSL New South Wales chief executive Glenn Kolomeitz is treasurer and Ian Basckin also serves on the board.[40]

Elected representatives

Current

Federal

State

Local

Former

Federal

Local

Electoral history

At the 2016 federal election, the Jacqui Lambie Network fielded 10 candidates for the Senate (three each in Tasmania and New South Wales, and two each in Queensland and Victoria) but no candidates for seats in the House of Representatives.[41]

The Jacqui Lambie Network has selected Angela Harper to be the party's lead Senate candidate for Queensland in the Next Australian federal election.[42]

Federal Parliament

Senate
Election year # of
overall votes 		% of
overall vote 		# of
overall seats won 		# of
overall seats 		+/– Status
2016 69,074 0.50 (#17)
1 / 76
1 / 76
 Increase 1 Crossbench
2019 31,383 0.21 (#28)
1 / 40
1 / 76
 Steady Crossbench
2022 23,273 0.27 (#28)
1 / 40
2 / 76
 Increase 1 Crossbench

Tasmanian Parliament

House of Assembly
Election year # of
overall votes 		% of
overall vote 		# of
overall seats won 		# of
overall seats 		+/– Status
2018 10,579 3.16 (#4)
0 / 25
0 / 25
 Steady Extra-parliamentary
2021 Did not contest
2024 21,378 6.75 (#4)
3 / 35
3 / 35
 Increase 3 Crossbench
(With Confidence and supply)

References

  1. ^
    • Greber, Jacob (25 March 2022). "Political survivor Jacqui Lambie stokes middle-of-the-road outrage". Australian Financial Review. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022.
    • Moffitt, Benjamin (12 April 2022). "Populism and the federal election: what can we expect from Hanson, Palmer, Lambie and Katter?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022.
    • Westcott, Ben (21 June 2022). "Australia's Left Narrowly Wins Balance of Power in New Senate". Bloomberg News. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022.
    • Bird, Isabel (11 January 2024). "Jacqui Lambie party a 'populist bubble' with a three seat chance". The Examiner. Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024.
  2. ^ Henriques-Gomes, Luke (10 May 2019). "Australian election 2019: how to avoid voting for a terrible micro party in the Senate". Guardian Australia. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019.
  3. ^ Visentin, Lisa (9 October 2020). "Jacqui Lambie is a thorn in the Coalition's side". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ McCulloch, Daniel; Livingston, Angus (9 September 2019). "Lambie sinks two coalition welfare plans". Canberra Times.
  5. ^ Maloney, Matt (8 February 2018). "Jacqui Lambie expels senator Steve Martin from party for denying her return to Parliament". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  6. ^ Bovill, Monte (30 May 2022). "Who is Tasmania's likely new senator, Tammy Tyrrell?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell resigns from Jacqui Lambie Network, will sit on crossbench as independent". ABC News. 28 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell disputes reason why she quit the party". ABC News. 1 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Tammy Tyrrell denies leaving Jacqui Lambie Network because of plans to take party national". Hobart Mercury. 2 August 2024.
  10. ^ Bailey, Duncan (26 March 2024). "Jacqui Lambie Network announces candidates for Lyons ahead of next state election". The Examiner. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Rockliff claims victory in Tasmanian election, despite falling short of majority". ABC News. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  12. ^ Press, Australian Associated (6 April 2024). "Make-up of Tasmanian parliament finally settled as 'anti-politician' independent takes last seat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  13. ^ Rundle, Guy (26 March 2024). "The Jacqui Lambie Experience triumphs with absolutely no policies". Crikey. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Rockliff reaches agreement with Jacqui Lambie Network". Premier of Tasmania. 10 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Did Lambie MPs get dud deal in Rockliff's agreement? Many seasoned politicians think so". ABC. 11 April 2024.
  16. ^ "JLN members' ultimatum to Jacqui Lambie to 'butt out' of state affairs". Launceston Examiner. 2 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Jacqui Lambie lashes Michael Ferguson over Spirit of Tasmania port delays". Hobart Mercury. 16 August 2024.
  18. ^ "ABC Hobart Mornings with Leon Compton". ABC Hobart. 20 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Luke Marin on X". X. 20 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Jacqui Lambie Network: former Palmer United Party senator registers new political party". SMH.
  21. ^ "Lambie takes on Islamic youth leader over sharia law". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 February 2017.
  22. ^ "There's a wrecking ball headed our way". Lambie Network.
  23. ^ Has Jacqui Lambie backflipped on Sharia law and Islam? #OnePlusOne, retrieved 18 February 2021
  24. ^ "The Parliament has 'broken me with its racism', Mehreen Faruqi says amid Palestinian visa debate". SBS News. 22 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Mother's battle for veteran son gains ground". The Advertiser. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  26. ^ "We have a bloody big problem here". Jacqui Lambie Network. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  27. ^ "National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention". Department of the Attorney General.
  28. ^ Commonwealth Parliament; Parliament House, Canberra. "Dissenting Report from Senator Jacqui Lambie". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 1 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "Home page". Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Australian Government. 2021.
  30. ^ Commonwealth Parliament; Parliament House, Canberra. "Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donation Reform and Other Measures) Bill 2020". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 1 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Disclosure threshold". Australian Electoral Commission. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Money buys power in our parliament". Jacqui Lambie Network. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  33. ^ "Make Australia Make Again". Jacqui Lambie Network. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  34. ^ Lambie, Jacqui (14 May 2020). "We must start manufacturing again: Lambie". The Examiner. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  35. ^ "There's a wrecking ball headed our way". Jacqui Lambie Network. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Former ASIO boss reportedly fears China is working to take over Australia's political system". SBS News. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Jacqui Lambie Network: Tasmanian senator registers new political party". ABC News. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  38. ^ "The Jacqui Lambie Experience triumphs with absolutely no policies". Crikey. 27 March 2024.
  39. ^ Ford, Sean (15 May 2024). "Jacqui Lambie Network talks up transparency, but won't name board members". The Examiner. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  40. ^ Langenberg, Adam (1 August 2024). "Jacqui Lambie reveals party's board members as she eyes off national expansion for next federal election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Candidates for the 2016 federal election". Australian Electoral Commission. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Jacqui Lambie Network - Queensland". Jacqui Lambie Network. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
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