By Laura Beavis Tuesday 31 March 2015
Photo: Senator Lambie has applied to form her own political party, called the Jacqui Lambie Network. (AAP: Alan Porritt)
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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 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.
Senator Lambie said JLN would start by focusing on recruiting candidates to run for Senate spots, but would field candidates for both federal and state elections.
She said she wanted to establish her own political party to give "ordinary Australians" a chance to enter politics.
"First and foremost I want these people to be able to put their state first. I don't want people dictating to them on how they should vote ... and I want them to be able to make sure that their state always comes first and their country right next to that," she said.
"That's why it's called a network, it's not called a group or a party. I want people to keep their individuality. I want them to do the best possible job that they can.
It's a matter of marketing and selling and obviously I've become a brand name in itself.
Jacqui Lambie, Tasmanian Independent Senator
"Running around as an independent costs a lot of money. It doesn't matter how hard you try, when it comes to taking on the major parties, money-wise, you can't compete with them."
Senator Lambie said she wanted to make the most of her high profile.
"It's a matter of marketing and selling and obviously I've become a brand name in itself."
"Clive's (Palmer) very much into micromanaging and it spells disaster and (if you are) going to pick people up willy-nilly, you've got to have people who are interested and have their heart in it."
Jacqui Lambie Network:
- Will focus on Senate seats initially
- Claims many are interested in running
- Candidates will put local issues above party loyalty
- Veterans and serving members of ADF will be of "special interest"
- Will oppose formal or informal imposition of Sharia Law
- Will introduce financial transaction tax
- Will call for establishment of national apprenticeship scheme
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'
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.
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 several 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.
Bad news for major parties, Wilkie says
Denison independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the establishment of JLN could be bad news for the major parties.
"Although the majority of Tasmanians would not share Jacqui Lambie's views, the minority that do is more than enough to win a senate seat in Tasmania at the next election," he said.
"Jacqui Lambie is a big figure with a big following in her own right but it's a complete unknown about whether or not that brand is transferable to anyone else.
"The challenge for Jacqui Lambie is to make this a democratic and inclusive party that represents its members. She will fail if it just becomes an extension of her through other candidates parroting her views."
ABC election analyst Antony Green said the possibility of her getting another Senate candidate elected in Tasmania at the next federal election could not be discounted.
"Jacqui Lambie was elected not because she was Jacqui Lambie but because she was the Palmer United candidate and I presume it is possible that someone could get elected because they've got Jacqui Lambie's name attached to them," he said.
"She's probably got as much chance as candidates did for Palmer United Party.
"The name of the party will attract votes but whether they get elected or not - I suspect not. They've actually got to have a bit of a profile for themselves as candidates who are known."
The party's constitution lists Senator Lambie and Mr Messenger's spouse Fern Messenger as the only members of its initial management committee.
"It was just easier to use those two names because someone's name has got to be there," Senator Lambie said.
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