Jacqui Lambie quits PUP
Jacqui Lambie has quit the Palmer United Party as expected, declaring she would sit as an independent because it would be in the best interests of her Tasmanian constituents.
Senator Lambie made a short statement to Parliament when it began sitting at 7am Perth time.
Her resignation from the party follows a fortnight of bitter public brawling with party leader Clive Palmer, and reduces PUP’s clout in the Senate.
She offered a 100 per cent guarantee she would never support the Government’s higher education reforms and the introduction of the $7 Medicare co-payment, delivering a blow to two key elements of Tony Abbott’s first Budget.
However she said she was prepared to negotiate over changes to the renewable energy target and the axing of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, as well as improving the subsidy paid for transporting passengers and freight across Bass Strait to Tasmania.
Senator Lambie also pleaded with Mr Abbott to reconsider the 1.5 per cent pay deal for military servicemen and women – the issue that saw the split between Senator Lambie and Mr Palmer erupt publicly.
Senator Lambie said being a member of PUP had stopped from voting in the best interests of Tasmania.
“Tasmanians don’t want a hand out. They just want a fair go and a hand up,” she said.
“Being a member of Palmer United has prevented me from voting in this chamber in a manner that gives my Tasmania the best chance of recovery and once again becoming prosperous.”
Mr Palmer escalated his attack on Senator Lambie yesterday, saying she had “questionable honesty”.
Mr Palmer suggested she wrongly claimed a disability payment and had lied about him and other party members to gain publicity.
Senator Lambie yesterday said she would not respond to “hurtful and false personal attacks” but claimed she would still be work with Mr Palmer after the dust had settled.
“I don’t have the time or the energy to be drawn into a political mud slinging contest,”
“I will not be drawn into the game of responding to hurtful and false personal attacks.
Senator Lambie said Mr Palmer had been “blessed and graced with great wealth and power by God”.
“He has wonderful opportunity to use that wealth and power to do a lot of good for Australians,” she said.
“After these political matters settle there will be many opportunities for us to work together in the national interest.
“I wish Clive and his beautiful family, staff and friends all the very best.”
