By political reporter Simon Cullen Thursday 13 November 2014
Photo: Mr Messenger ran as a Palmer United Party candidate at the last federal election in the seat of Hinkler. (ABC Open: Brad Marsellos)
Senator Jacqui Lambie's chief of staff has been expelled from the Palmer United Party (PUP), in a move that will inflame existing tensions within the balance-of-power voting bloc.
Party leader Clive Palmer has accused Senator Lambie of acting as "Rob Messenger's mouthpiece" and suggested she should challenge for the leadership if she is unhappy.
"Everything Senator Lambie says is really coming from her chief of staff," Mr Palmer said in a statement.
"Last night our executive met and we have agreed to expel Rob Messenger from the party on the grounds of making false and misleading statements about our Senators."
Mr Messenger had been working as Senator Lambie's chief of staff since her election, but was previously a Queensland Liberal National Party MP and independent MP.
He also ran as a PUP candidate at the last federal election in the seat of Hinkler.
If what she [Senator Lambie] says about being unhappy with her party's leadership is true, she should make a challenge.
PUP leader Clive Palmer
Mr Messenger said he was disappointed by the "personal attacks" on himself, but would continue to help Senator Lambie do her job.
"Jacqui's my boss, the people of Tasmania are her boss, [and] I'm here to help her," Mr Messenger told reporters in north-west Tasmania, as Senator Lambie watched on.
Senator Lambie said she did not realise Mr Messenger was still a member of the Palmer United Party, and it is better for him not to be.
She also fired back at Mr Palmer, saying he should speak directly with her if he has a problem.
"What I find insulting from Clive Palmer is now he's starting to go at staff," she said.
"If Clive wants to have a shot, let him have it at me.
"To go at staff - that's a whole new low for Clive Palmer."
Frictions within the party have boiled over in recent days, with Senator Lambie publicly criticising the party's strategy and refusing to endorse her colleagues' performance.
"One thing I won't do is lie to the Australian people and I'm not going to sit here and make my PUP senators or Clive Palmer look good when I'm not feeling that way about them," she told the ABC's 7:30 program last night.
Video: Watch Jacqui Lambie's 7.30 interview (7.30)
"I won't do that... I just don't feel like they're helping me out.
"So if that means I've got to go it alone under the PUP flag then so be it, I'll just run it alone."
Senator Lambie is angry at the Federal Government's pay deal for Defence personnel, and at how the PUP has responded to it.
She vowed to vote against all government legislation until the pay offer is improved, something Mr Palmer said was not appropriate.
"We aren't prepared to give a blanket threat to vote against the Liberal Government for the next five years," Mr Palmer said.
"No such proposal has been considered in our party room.
"I am amazed why Jacqui Lambie is being such a drama queen when the Palmer United Party unanimously supports the ADF and opposes the Government's proposed pay structure.
"If what she says about being unhappy with her party's leadership is true, she should make a challenge.
"Otherwise get on with the job of representing the people who voted for her."
PUP Senate leader Glenn Lazarus said he was disappointed with Senator Lambie's criticism of her colleagues.
Asked if he thought she would leave the party, he replied: "I don't know, to be honest."
"She hasn't made any contact with me.
"Until we speak and sort out what's going on, there's not much I can do at this present time."
The ABC has contacted Senator Lambie's office for a response.
Mr Palmer has declined an interview request from the ABC.
