With the deadline passing for the Jacqui Lambie Network to submit “budget bids”*, Rebekah Pentland, Andrew Jenner and Miriam Beswick owe it to Tasmanians to let them know which projects and initiatives they put forward.

After being elected on a platform of no policies, refusing interviews with the media and failing to speak on motions in the parliament, many Tasmanians are still scratching their heads trying to work out what the Lambies stand for.

All we know so far is that they are against jobs in aquaculture, against jobs in forestry, and against the critical Robbins Island wind farm project.

The ability to put forward budget bids is one of the only significant measures the Jacqui Lambie Network managed to secure in exchange for propping up the minority Liberal government.

If the Lambie members are as transparent and open as they claim to be, they should have no issues with letting Tasmanians know what they bid for.

If they won’t let people know, the question on everyone’s lips will only continue to grow – what’s the point of the Jacqui Lambie Network?

*Section 3, V of the Liberal-Lambie coalition agreement states:

JLN Members are able to put forward “budget bids” directly to the office of the Premier, which will then be forwarded to the appropriate Department and the Treasury for analysis and consideration.

i.                While these proposals will be considered in good faith, the Government gives no commitments that they will be enacted;

ii.               Such bids need to be lodged no less than three months prior to the scheduled delivery of the budget

Shane Broad MP
Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly