'I'm just looking for a good Aussie bloke': Former Senator Jacqui Lambie on a quest to find love
Former Senator Jacqui Lambie is looking for love.
The single-mother has been single for the past fifteen years and is now ready to get back into the dating game.
“I’ve been by myself for so long that I’ve just switched off on that side of life,” Ms Lambie said.
“I think that what I’m looking for is just a good Aussie bloke who can hold his own.”
“You know, doesn’t have too much drama in his life. He’s got no exes that are bothering him, he’s got no kid custody battles going on out there, he’s getting on with his life, he’s happy, he’s outgoing.”
When she last dated in the early 2000s, there were no apps like Tinder or Bumble. Now, they’re the most popular way to find a match but, despite repeated attempts, Jacqui wasn’t convinced apps could lead to a genuine relationship.
So she opted for a more traditional approach to finding a bloke. Being a little apprehensive and a bit rusty, Jacqui enlisted help – her best mates and relationship expert Samantha Jayne.
“It’s really important for me to get to know Jacqui Lambie, who she really is, not who she is outside in the media,” Ms Jayne said.
“She is missing that love and that connection.”
Ms Lambie kicked-off her quest for love at a speed-dating night in Launceston.
First up, she met Craig Casey, a fly-in-fly-out mine worker who is looking for a long-term relationship.
Mr Casey has three children and gets along well with the ex-wife.
“It wasn’t hard to have a conversation with Jacqui,” Mr Casey said.
“Talking to her in person, she makes you feel very, very comfortable.”
In Sydney, Ms Lambie’s next date didn’t go quite to plan. Her first choice got cold feet at the last minute – roping in a friend, Ricardo Amado, to take his place.
Ricardo is an IT specialist. He is a single dad who was born in Mexico and has lived in Australia for the past twenty-seven years.
“She [Jacqui] has a beautiful energy, I think she is a great person, a good heart.”
“I want to spend more time with her, I like her,” Mr Amado said.
During their date, Ms Lambie revealed that an injury she suffered in the army led to heavy use of pain killers and a long-term battle with depression.
“Once I started to get better, I threw myself straight into politics for the last three-and-a-half years,” she tells Mr Amado.
The date went well and Ms Lambie said she enjoyed the easy conversation.
“We talked about normal stuff like family, like our kids, everyday life, the dating and how it’s all working out for the both of us,” she said.
Jacqui’s next date was 56-year-old Melbourne businessman Gregg Currie.
He is also a single dad, owns a catering firm and is looking for a long-term relationship.
“I’m open to whatever life delivers,” Mr Currie said.
For Ms Lambie, it was just like going to dinner with an old friend.
“We had an amazing conversation with no topics out of bounds,” she said.
Jacqui then had a follow-up date with each of the three prospective partners followed by a third catch-up with Gregg Currie.
Ms Lambie says she’s still a little tentative about choosing somebody to settle down with.
“Even though I’ve been on these dates, I’m still not sure about this whole love thing, you know?” Ms Lambie said.
“I just want somebody that is going to not just be my partner, but, my best friend as well for the rest of my life, that’s what I’m looking for.”
