The Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell says she is quitting the Jacqui Lambie Network, but plans to stay in the Senate as an independent, saying the party leader had suggested her former party mate “go it alone”.
“Today I have advised the Jacqui Lambie Network that I am resigning from the party. I’ll remain in the Senate as an independent Senator for Tasmania,” the 53-year-old said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“This is not something I’ve taken lightly. It’s become clear to me that I no longer have the confidence of the Jacqui Lambie Network to be able to represent it in the Senate. While Jacqui has not kicked me out of the Network, she has suggested that I go it alone.”
“I am not doing this because I want to harm Jacqui or the Network. I want to see Jacqui and the JLN continue to succeed. As it is now clear that the Network does not have confidence in my ability to contribute to that success, I do not wish to do anything in my advocacy for Tasmania that might harm it.”
“With that in mind, the best thing I can do is to step aside to allow the Network to shine. I don’t want to hold them back. I believe this is the best thing for Jacqui, the Network, myself, but most importantly, the people of Tasmania right now.”
Tyrrell was elected to the Senate for Tasmania in 2022 and was the party whip.
Guardian Australia has contacted Lambie for comment.
With Australian Associated Press