Jacqui Lambie is now more powerful than ever before as the next Tasmanian premier is forced to court a crossbench that could include up to three Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) candidates for support.
Already a key vote in the Federal Senate, Senator Lambie’s shares rose further on Saturday evening as her party’s candidates won a string of seats in the Apple Isle state parliament.
Ms Lambie said on ABC Radio on Monday that her candidates had no choice but to work with the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff, as Labor leader Rebecca White had already conceded defeat.
“We have to form a government one way or another and if Labor doesn’t get into the race then I don’t think we have a choice,” Senator Lambie told ABC Radio.
Jacqui Lambie was highly critical of a plan to fund an AFL stadium in Hobart
“I’m pretty sure Tasmanians don’t want to be re-elected in the next month or two, that doesn’t bring stability. That’s what we promised Tasmanians.”
The federal leader suggested a “good start” for negotiations between Rockliff and its candidates would be a second look at the millions set aside for a controversial new stadium proposed for Hobart.
“I still can’t think of a good reason why it’s a priority to have a new stadium with a roof,” she said.
Mr Rockliff has thrown his support behind a $715 million AFL stadium in Hobart – a condition of the state license for an AFL team. Senator Lambie was highly critical of the plan.
However, one of her network candidates in the mix for a seat supports the stadium.
The project must be voted on by parliament to get the green light.
Rockliff admitted on Sunday that the Liberals had delivered a “bit of a kick” to the stadium and in general, with their first preference vote falling by 12 per cent.
Both Mr Rockliff and Ms White have ruled out negotiations with the Greens. The small party is on track to win four or five seats.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said it was disappointing that Labor had ruled out joining forces to form a minority, as there was overlap in both parties’ campaign platforms.
Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff appears to be in line for another term as state leader. Labor leader Rebecca White has conceded
“I don’t know why Labor has taken that position at this time. We still hope they will be open to (negotiations),” she told Sky News on Monday.
Labor won just 10 of the 35 seats in the House of Representatives, compared to the Liberals’ 13.
On Sunday, Ms White admitted it was “highly unlikely” her party could form a government.
“Based on the outcome of yesterday’s vote, it seems highly unlikely that the Labor Party will be able to form a government,” Ms White said.
“I respect that outcome, I respect the will of the people.”
Rockliff sent Tasmanians to the polls more than a year early, after the Liberals failed to resolve a minority government deadlock with MPs quitting the party to sit on the crossbench.