Tasmanian’s last-remaining Jacqui Lambie Network MP has confirmed he will not enter into a new confidence and supply agreement with the Rockliff government.
Andrew Jenner said has concerns over the Liberal Party’s use of public funds for what the Integrity Commission has labelled ‘electoral bribery’.
In a statement on Monday, Jenner said he is unable to support an agreement that allows “indirect electoral bribery” to continue.
“This is a very serious issue … It is nothing more than blatant vote-buying at taxpayers’ expense,” he said.
“Over three elections it has made promises totalling more than $4 billion and, as the Eslake Report revealed, its unfunded election commitments have been a big factor in the rapid deterioration of public finances and the headlong plunge into $8.5 billion of debt.”
Jenner’s decision follows Labor leader Dean Winter’s announcement over the weekend that his party plans to put an end to the practice known as ‘pork barrelling’.
“If something needs funding then it should get it, but why is it always in the few weeks before an election?” Jenner said.
“If the government wants to throw around taxpayer money during an election, that money needs to be spent in a way that benefits the greatest number of Tasmanians, not just Liberal voters.”
“Community groups and volunteer groups shouldn’t just be promised money during an election campaign.”
Two former Jacqui Lambie Network MPs, Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland, have signed new deals with the state government after being expelled from the party in August.
