The race for Tasmania’s final Senate seats has turned personal, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson taking aim at incumbent Senator Jacqui Lambie as her daughter Lee Hanson challenges for the position.
With four of Tasmania’s six Senate spots already filled, Lambie and Hanson’s daughter are among four candidates vying for the remaining two positions in a count that could take weeks to finalise.
The Liberal Party gave One Nation their second preference in Tasmania this election.
Hanson told Sky News on Wednesday night that the outcome remains uncertain, with preferences likely to determine the result.
“It’s very hard to call at this time because we’ve got postal votes to come in,” Hanson said.
“It’s all going to come down to preferences. So I’m not going to call it.”
When asked about Lambie’s performance in the Senate, Hanson was scathing.
“About 80% of the time she votes with the Greens mainly or the Labor Party,” Hanson said.
“She doesn’t have any idea. She doesn’t really look into the policies.”
The One Nation leader suggested Lambie had been complacent in her campaign.
“Lee only had a four-week campaign. Jacqui Lambie’s been in there since 2013,” Hanson said.
Lambie, whose Jacqui Lambie Network has secured 23,081 votes or 50% of a quota, has dismissed the criticism, telling Channel Seven on election night that she was focused on her own responsibilities.
“I don’t run into the toxic stuff. I won’t do it,” Lambie said amid cheers from supporters.
“I haven’t thought about Pauline, I want to get my jobs done. I wish Lee her daughter the very best, like every other candidate in the country. That’s the way to do things. That’s leadership.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the AEC reported One Nation had received 16,306 votes in Tasmania, compared to the Jacqui Lambie Network’s 23,081 votes.
The Australian Electoral Commission is expected to take up to three weeks to finalise the complex Senate count.
