Lambie to stay with PUP amid voting bloc split

Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie says she will remain with the party, despite pledging to split from her colleagues’ voting bloc in the Senate.

jacqui.jpg

Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie r (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Party leader Clive Palmer expelled the rogue Senator’s chief of staff Rob Messenger overnight, adding that Senator Lambie should challenge for the leadership if unhappy.

Mr Messenger told SBS that Senator Lambie would remain with the party, but refused to comment on any future plans to leave.

He said questions on future political moves should be put to the Senator, who was unavailable for comment.

On his own expulsion from the party, Mr Messenger said his colleagues were trying to remain focussed.

“We’re trying to not let it distract us from the main game,” he said.
'I will not play Clive’s latest political games'
His comments follow a release issued by Senator Lambie on Thursday afternoon, describing her as “Senator for Tasmania”.

In the statement, Senator Lambie said she was disappointed with Mr Palmer and his criticism of her team.

“I’m very happy with my electoral team, including my chief of staff, Mr Messenger,” she said.

“They are 100 per cent loyal to me, and together we are fighting hard for members of our Defence Force, War Veterans and ordinary Tasmanians.  

“I’ve requested that all my staff not be members of any political party. I want a non-political office and Mr Palmer’s confirmation that Mr Messenger is no longer a member of the Palmer United Party saves him the trouble of resigning.”

Mr Palmer had criticised Mr Messenger, a former PUP candidate, as having "no experience in federal politics" and using Senator Lambie as a mouthpiece for his views.

Mr Palmer also criticised the Senator as a "drama queen", urging her to either challenge or get on with the job in the wake of critical comments made to the ABC.

"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," he said.

Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm has also offered to meet with Senator Lambie about leaving PUP, reportedly telling Melbourne media that he and Family First Senator Bob Day would be open to negotiations.

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By Stephanie Anderson

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