Jacqui Lambie Network: Tasmanian senator registers new political party
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has applied to register a political party called the Jacqui Lambie Network with notices of her application to register the party appearing in Tasmanian newspapers this morning.
Burnie-based Senator Lambie split from the Palmer United Party last November.
The AEC has run ads about the party registration in Tasmanian newspapers this morning and people have until the end of next month to lodge objections.
The advertisement lists the "proposed registered officer" as Jacquiline Lambie and the abbreviated party name as JLN.
In a statement Senator Lambie said JLN would start by focusing on recruiting candidates to run for Senate spots.
"Once the Australian Electoral Commission has officially processed and cleared the Network's registration, just like other major political parties, the Network will be able to field Senate and Lower House candidates in future federal elections," she said.
Federal Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie speaks in the Senate chamber in Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
"And just like other political parties, the people of Tasmania and other states will have the option of voting above the line when they mark their ballot papers, should they want to choose the candidates I endorse."
Senator Lambie does not have to prove to the Australian Electoral Commission that her party has 500 members because she is already a member of Parliament.
Phil Diak from the AEC said the process for setting up a party is different for members of Parliament compared with a grassroots movement.
"By law members and senators who are sitting in the parliament do not need to have 500 electors on the electoral roll to accompany their initial application," he said.
ADF veterans and serving members of 'special interest'
In her statement Senator Lambie said the Jacqui Lambie Network's first and key platform would be that candidates who were elected put their electorates above party loyalty when voting and making decisions.
She said another key policy would be to oppose the formal or informal introduction of Sharia law in Australia and required undivided loyalty to the Australian Constitution.
The party would also call for the establishment of a national apprentice, trade and traineeship system, with the aim of increasing recruitment for the defence force.
Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer speaks to his former senator Jacqui Lambie. Source: AAP
It would also favour the introduction of a financial transactions tax.
Senator Lambie's chief of Staff, Rob Messenger, said she had already been approached by a number of people who were interested in running as candidates for the party in other states, and many people had indicated their desire to join a political party formed by her.
"In the near future I will launch an online book, which contains the majority of my Parliamentary speeches to-date," she said.
"This will provide further detailed information on the policies that I will take to the Australian people."
The party's constitution lists Jacqui Lambie and Mr Messenger's spouse Fern Messenger as the only members of its initial management committee.
