Media release – 10 December 2023

JACQUI LAMBIE NETWORK ANNOUNCES LYONS CANDIDATES

Today the Jacqui Lambie Network launched our candidates for Lyons, Troy Pfitzner, Andrew Jenner and Lesley Pyecroft.

Jacqui was excited to introduce Tasmania to her Lyons state team.

“We’ve watched the Liberal Party disintegrate in slow motion at a time when the cost of living is spiralling out of control, our health system is overloaded and our schools and TAFEs desperately need a shot in the arm.”

“I’ve decided to run candidates in the state election to take the balance of power in state parliament. If my team does win the balance of power, it will be their job to bring in the common sense of ordinary Tasmanians and to apply that as we review the laws the Government wants to pass. It’s that simple.”

“Troy, Andrew and Lesley are all accomplished members of the community in their own right and I’m proud to be standing beside them announcing their candidacy for Lyons.”

Troy, who is based in Brighton, and ran for the JLN in Lyons at the federal election owns a small business Little Green Trucks – which organises tip runs, retail deliveries, and small house moves. He relies on it to support his family.

“The last couple of years have been a real struggle for us, I’m not going to lie. Prices are going up across the board and everyone is cutting back on their spending. It’s put a lot of pressure on our business and as a consequence our family.”

“I’m not at all convinced that our state MPs really understand how tough it is for Tasmanians right now. I want to bring the voice of small business and ordinary people into our state parliament. It’s pretty clear that voice doesn’t exist at the moment.”

Andrew, who lives in Richmond, brings a wealth of experience, having served as a magistrate in the UK for 25 years, and as a lead member of one of the biggest councils in the south of England – The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

“When I look at how much the State Government has been spending on consultants for its major projects and how much secrecy they have around that spending, it makes me think they don’t know what they’re doing and they’re scared that Tasmanians are going to work that out.”

“I want to get in there so I can cast a forensic eye over their projects. We desperately need results on the ground in Lyons, not cover ups. If you’ve made a mistake, own it and admit it, then get on with doing your job.”

Lesley, a Longford resident, has lived a life of service. She spent 23 years in the Australian Army as a soldier and a nursing officer. She’s an active member of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture. She currently works as a school nurse and does casual nursing shifts in the emergency department at the LGH. She has first hand experience of the struggling Tasmanian health system.

“Our health system needs help, there’s no question about that. The problem isn’t the people who work in it. The problem is that there aren’t enough of us and the resources we’re provided are so limited. The whole system was pushed to the limit during COVID and it honestly has not recovered.”

“Serving my community has always been a pillar of my life. One that was passed down to me by my parents. My goal is to look after those that trust me to represent them, the same as I look after my patients who trust me to care for them.”

“In Lyons we have a lot of people who provide us with produce from the agricultural sector. Especially in rural and remote areas of Lyons. They are a cornerstone of what makes Tasmania so special. Their work is often very challenging, and I don’t think we do enough to support them.”

Featured image above: Andrew Jenner, Troy Pfitzner, Lesley Pyecroft.

Andrew Jenner

Location: Lives in Richmond.

Candidate bio: Nothing gets my goat more than arbitrary decision making, made by bureaucrats who can’t, or worse, won’t, explain the logic behind what they’ve chosen to do. That’s why I’ve spent my life fighting for transparency and accountability.

I served as a magistrate for 25 years and was the mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (190,000 constituents) in the UK. I also sat in cabinet as the member for tourism and was president of the Chamber of Commerce for two years.

Windsor receives 2.5 million visitors a year, which gave me deep insight into both the economic positives and the negative impact tourism can have on locals. That balance is one that I would keep a close eye on in Lyons.

I originally emigrated to Tasmania in the 1970s when I was 19 years old and moved to Lewisham in 1985. I worked for the SBT bank and taught self defence at the Police Academy and in local schools. After my stint in the UK, I decided to move back to Lyons 10 years ago.

We’ve been let down in recent years by a government that is well past its prime. Major projects have been announced with wonky business cases or no business cases at all. These bungled processes have held up investment into Tasmania, which would make a real difference to people’s lives.

Worse yet, millions of dollars have been spent on consultants from the mainland to produce these deeply flawed proposals. I strongly believe that local consultation and governance is the key to good decision making.

I want to lean on my experience in local government to fight for improvements to planning, infrastructure, transport and in Lyons.

I also strongly believe that we should stop taking our frontline workers, like police, firefighters, paramedics, and nurses for granted. They serve our communities because they are passionate about giving back. They should be supported by good pay and mental health
services to ensure they thrive, rather than burning out as they tackle their incredibly difficult jobs.

Troy Pfitzner

Location: Lives in Brighton.

Political history: Ran for the Jacqui Lambie Network in Lyons at the 2022 Federal election. Received 10.86% of the vote.

Candidate bio: It’s not about blocking, it’s about building. As a small business owner, I know how hard it is to get a dream off the ground and I know how hard government can make it to earn an honest crust. I’m an average bloke who wants to do right by his family, his community and his state.

I’m sick of looking at a ballot paper every election and having to hold my nose. I don’t want to whinge about how bad politicians are. I want to do something about it, and be a decent one. You don’t owe me your vote. You don’t owe anyone your vote. I want to earn it, like I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why I’m running: A big help for small business Businesses are being slugged with thousands of pages of regulations before they even get off the ground. Small businesses take risk, create jobs, build something from nothing. Let’s back them, instead of getting in their way. Rural Lyons is being left behind If you’re living in the midlands or on the East Coast, good luck getting in to see a local GP. Driving two hours to get down to Hobart to see a doctor just isn’t feasible for many people.

Home ownership shouldn’t just be for millionaires When I bought my first house I was a third-year apprentice mechanic. You can’t do that these days. I want my three kids to be able to buy a home one day, just like I did. And that dream is slipping away. You shouldn’t need to wait half a day in the emergency department. The Liberals and Labor Party blame each other for why our hospitals are bursting at the seams, but they’re both to blame for the mess we’re in. I’m sick of finger pointing. It’s time we got in and fixed things.

Lesley Pyecroft

Location: Lives in Longford.

Candidate bio: I have always thought that real empathy is lacking in our politics. Maybe it’s because most politicians come from the same private school, study a law degree at university, background. That’s certainly not been my life journey.

I’m an immigrant, born in Canada. A naturalized Australian due to my 23 years of service in the Australian Army as a soldier and a nursing officer. I currently work as a school nurse and as a casual registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Launceston General Hospital (I had worked there previously full time for five years).

My parents taught me that the most important thing is that you are caring, compassionate and honest. I’ve always aspired to live up to those standards.

I will always try to go the extra mile. Listening and taking notice, being an advocate and being willing to stand up and improve the everyday living standards for the communities that I represent.

I am an active member with the Northern Lighthorse and re-enactment group and Tasmanian Women in Agriculture.

In Lyons we have a lot of people who provide us with produce from the agricultural sector.

Especially in rural and remote areas of Lyons. They are a cornerstone of what makes Tasmania so special. Their work is often very challenging, and I don’t think we do enough to support them.

Health and mental health, education and employment are the issues I want to tackle. I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet and the pressure that brings to all aspects of your life. We need to do more to support people in tough situations and those four policy
areas play a massive role in that.

Editor’s note: grammar, punctuation, etc. uncorrected