Lambie calls on Nikolic to use his increased influence as deputy whip to get more for Tasmania

Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie has called on the liberal federal member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic to support her call for the Abbott government to:

1. Forgive Tasmania’s federal public housing debt of $200M – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7oRhCzFnLo

2. Increase the Bass Strait Freight Equalization scheme by $25M p/a and include goods for export in the program,

3. End tens of millions of dollars of RET penalty payments each year for Tasmanian businesses and

4. Invest $400M into UTAS building infrastructure.

“Tony Abbott rewarded the member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic for his support during the Liberal partyroom meltdown last week and promoted him to deputy whip. (In doing so the PM also kicked long serving Liberal MP and father of the house, Phillip Ruddock in the guts)

Now that Mr Nikolic has climbed over Mr Ruddock’s political corpse and increased his influence in the Liberal partyroom, he must stand up for Tasmania. Mr Nikolic can’t just continue in the role of a gutless, sycophantic Yes-Man for the PM.” said Senator Lambie.

“So far Mr Nikolic has had a shameful public record of failing to speak out for Tasmania. He’s been silent on the waiver of our $200M public housing debt, our public housing waiting list crisis and the $90M housing maintenance backlog – which I spoke about in Parliament last week – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7oRhCzFnLo

He has also been silent in parliament regarding support for an increase in the Bass Strait Freight Equalization (TFES) scheme by $25M each year and also including Tasmanian grown or manufactured goods bound for export in the program.” said Senator Lambie.

“Mr Nikolic has spread misinformation about the Liberal’s damaging changes to Higher Education. He misled the people of Tasmania and UTAS officials by implying that $400M needed for UTAS building development was tied to the education budget, when it’s the federal government’s infrastructure budget which holds $50B for capital projects.

I would hope that Mr Nikolic would always put Tasmania first, but his actions have shown he will remain loyal to whichever liberal leader can further his own political career. Unfortunately loyalty isn’t one of Mr Nikolic’s strong qualities. Despite being a former high-ranking army officer, he sided with the PM after Mr Abbott denied our Diggers a fair pay rise.” said Senator Lambie.

“As we head into a year which commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landings, Mr Nikolic, Mr Abbott, indeed all Liberal members of Parliament better get used to the cry from the ranks of; hypocrite! – as they pose for photos taken with our Veterans and serving Diggers.

Last week after meeting (see attached 1) with the Prime Minister – Tony Abbott and Deputy Leader of the Liberal party – Julie Bishop, Deputy Prime Minister – Warren Truss and likely future Prime Minister – Malcolm Turnbull, the defence pay injustice is also another topic I spoke about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFapeiemFdM in the Australian Senate.” said Senator Lambie.
Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie