JLN Confirms Working on a Deal to Support Liberal Government

Transcript of media conference with newly-elected Jacqui Lambie Network Members of the House of Assembly Andrew Jenner (Lyons), Rebekah Pentland (Bass) and Miriam Beswick (Braddon), Parliament Lawns, Hobart, 8 April 2024.

Journalist – Elliott

So who wants to tell me a little bit about what are some of the key focuses of the Jacqui Lambie Network in state Parliament?

Andrew Jenner

Okay, well, obviously, transparency, accountability. That’s what we stood for. And that’s what we told the public we would make sure we got through in public and in Parliament.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is that something you feel like needs improvement from the government of the moment?

Andrew Jenner

I think it does. I mean, that’s evident by how the people have obviously voted, that they feel that there is no transparency and there is no accountability.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Andrew what made you stand for Parliament?

Andrew Jenner

I’ve always enjoyed politics in, you know, I’ve been in politics in England for quite a while. And Jacqui gave me the opportunity. I really believed in what she stood for. It was the same principles and ethics that I have, that people do come first, not politics.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

We didn’t hear a whole lot from you during the campaign. What are some of the issues that really motivate you personally?

Andrew Jenner

For me, personally, I mean, obviously, law and order. I’m big on that. Tourism, you know, I’m also very involved. Being the Mayor of the Royal Borough we had nearly 8000 people all up. And I know how it affects, I know the tourist dollar is really important. But I also know it affects the public that have to live with those tourists.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

When you say law and order would you mind going a bit further. Is it kind of a focus on more policing you’d like to see or I guess, rehabilitation programs? What is it?

Andrew Jenner

I think it’s, you have to be holistic here. It’s everything. We have quite a big problem with our youth. We’ve always had that obviously, I’ve spent nearly over 20 years as a magistrate in England, and it’s not a JP, everyone will tell you, I did sentence people to prison, I was in Crown Court and I signed warrants. So I do have a good understanding, I’ve visited most young offenders centres, most prisons in the south of England, so I have a fairly good understanding and bring that knowledge or want to bring that knowledge here.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

When we talk about Parliament going forward, how will you three sit down and decide how you vote on on different issues? Will it be you’ll have different decisions on will you vote as a bloc?

Andrew Jenner

I’m sure we’ll have different decisions, but I’m sure we’ll vote as a bloc.

Journalist – Elliott

So when it comes to the Rockliff Liberals approaching you to make a deal or an arrangement, how does that work? Do you all vote separately, do they have to negotiate with each of you separately or as a bloc?

Rebekah Pentland

I think individually, we definitely have our own views. But we have been hand-picked with the JLN because we share the same values. And we very much think and feel the same about a lot of topics. So you know, I think we’re definitely going together as a as a bloc.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

I know it’s never this simple but for people who are trying to kind of place the Jacqui Lambie network on the political spectrum, where do you guys think you sit as a party?

Miriam Beswick

We sit very centrally, you know. We’re going to bring a balance, we’re going to bring a team effort to whatever we do. And it’s definitely going to be a considered and thoughtful approach.

Journalist – Matt

What approach are you taking to minority government for the negotiations with the Premier, and what are you seeking specifically?

Andrew Jenner

We’re going to work with, obviously, the Premier. I mean, our first goal is to make sure that this government works. We’re not here to make it not work. We’re not here to break it up, or to stop it. We want to obviously make it transparent and accountable. But we want to be able to work with Jeremy Rockliff’s government. So for Tasmanians, that’s what they’re here for. They don’t want it to break down again and have go back to another election.

Journalist – David Killick

You’re in a position where you can pretty much decide whether the Liberals foreign government. What are the issues? What are the policies that you really want to progress to ensure that you make the most effective balance of power?

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, so it’s about integrity and transparency. So I think, you know, we’re going to try and work with the Liberals to bring about more transparency and more integrity.

Journalist – Matt

What does that actually look like? Transparency on what kind of measures do you seek that would make a difference to [inaudible]?

Andrew Jenner

Truly, we don’t know. I mean, you know, I’m not going to stand here and tell you the things I don’t know. We obviously don’t have access to any of the accounts, any of the books, anything that went on behind the scenes; we will have now. And when we’ve got that, then we can come back to you and say this is how we want it to go ahead.

Journalist – Matt

Just to be clear, you want a detailed Treasury briefing, you want to know what’s going on?

Andrew Jenner

Absolutely. That’s what we that was our remit, right from the beginning, that we would be transparent and accountable. And that includes us.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Jeremy Rockliff wants confidence and supply. To give him that, what do you want in return?

Andrew Jenner

I just want to work with him at the moment. I mean, we’re just getting our feet under the desks. You know, there’ll be times when we will be asking for our own agendas and things that we feel that are important to the Tasmanian public. But we can’t give you that answers just yet.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

But nothing at the beginning?

Andrew Jenner

No, not at all. I mean, our main remit was that it would be transparent and accountable. That’s what we run on. And that’s what we still stand and, you know, we’re going to put the people before the policies and you know, what goes on in Parliament. And that’s, you know, what people, that’s what we’re standing here for, us three.

Journalist – Matt

So just to be clear, the Premier will want a written undertaking of confidence and supply. Are you going to give that to him?

Andrew Jenner

Yeah we are.

Journalist – Matt

In return for what?

Andrew Jenner

No, in turn for nothing at the moment, apart from working with him. There will be a remit that there’ll be certain things that we will ask for. But, I mean, we haven’t signed it yet, you know, and that will be made public. And once that’s made public, you’ll see what we’ve actually asked for.

Journalist – Adam Morton

The Premier said that the strong plan, the 2030 Strong Plans as the government calls it, is non-negotiable. There’s a huge number, dozens and dozens of policies and announcements attached to that. Are you going to back that completely?

Rebekah Pentland

We’re still in negotiations with that. So you know, you’ll see the outcome of that when it’s released and we’ve gone through that with Premier Rockliff.

Journalist – David Killick

In terms of the proposal for an AFL stadium, where do you stand on that? Do you support it? Do you support it with conditions? Or are you against it?

Rebekah Pentland

We’re all very pro team. But we definitely do need to look at the deal with the stadium. And we need to get that right. It needs to be a win-win for AFL and for Tasmanian people.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

How would you describe your starting position on that? Would you say that you’re open to looking into it or you think that the government needs to prove the merits of it?

Andrew Jenner

I think everybody knows with the stadium it was supposed to join the whole of Tasmania together and it’s been quite divisive, which is a real shame. We want to work with them to maybe get something up and running. But I mean, you know, I mean, that’s why we’re here with this election, because not even his own members knew what was going on. And we don’t either. So it’s very hard for us to give it a defined or decisive answer to say what we will or won’t do just yet. We don’t know enough information.

We are all pro team. As to the stadium, we don’t know what it’s going to cost the public. And I think they have a big say in that, you know, because there’ll be paying for this for generations if it goes wrong and we don’t get the right funding.

Journalist – unidentified

You talked about transparency and accountability. Does that mean you want to see a stronger Integrity Commission?

Andrew Jenner

Very much so. Not only that, I’d like to see the Freedom of Information, you call it Right To Information, it’s hopeless in Tasmania. In most states you have to wait three to six months, here you have to wait three years for an answer. How can you have anything transparent and open if you’re waiting that long for an answer from the government. We want to put more funds into that so people can ask those questions and get answers straight away.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

You said you want to work with the Premier but the Premier and his team went out pretty hard at you during the campaign. They called you Greens in disguise, there was the fake website. Is that relationship repairable going forward? Did you take offence to those attacks during the campaign?

Miriam Beswick

Look, we’re all adults here. And we’re quite capable of, you know, having open and honest conversations, and we will definitely be discussing some of those things. But we’re not gonna make that, offend Tasmania, we want we want to make sure we have a group of people that are working together, and we’re cooperating as a team.

Andrew Jenner

I think politics is politics, look you can’t get too wrapped up in it. You have got to have a thick skin. As I always say to people, I’m not fat I’m just got thick skin. And it’s true. I mean, you know, yes, it wasn’t the best campaign. But will it affect his working with them? No it won’t. Because we’re here to represent Tasmanians,

Tasmanian Times

Advocates including the Commissioner for Children have called for the immediate closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre. What’s your position on that?

Andrew Jenner

Personally, I don’t have one at the moment. I don’t have enough information about it.

Journalist – Matt

Will you all guarantee to remain members of the Jacqui Lambie Network for the entirety of the [inaudible].

Miriam Beswick

Certainly the plan at this stage.

Andrew Jenner

Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, that’s what I signed up for.

Journalist – Bob Burton

In New Zealand ministerial briefs are made public after each election. Is that something that you’ll be supporting here so that you get the same information that the new ministers are about what issues are going to be on the agenda?

Andrew Jenner

Sorry, could you clarify that again?

Journalist – Bob Burton

In New Zealand, all of the incoming briefs to the new ministers are made public, published on the website. So anybody in the public, even Members of Parliament can see what issues are going to be coming up and the background information, they’re given to orientate new ministers. Is that the sort of information that you’ll be seeing in these requests?

Rebekah Pentland

To be honest, I’m not well versed in what’s happening in New Zealand and what that looks like. I guess, like, I think Andrews already said, we need to get our feet under the desk, and then probably look at things like that. Yeah, in the future.

Andrew Jenner

The idea sounds great. But we don’t know if it’s practical. Yeah.

Journalist – Bob Burton

One thing the Lambie Network campaigned on was better disclosure of political donations. Have you raised that with Premier Rockliff and what sort of reforms [inaudible]?

Miriam Beswick

Yes, we will be raising that that is definitely on the conversation list.

Tasmanian Times

What’s the process to choose the Parliamentary Leader of the JLN?

Miriam Beswick

Well, there’s three of us. So I’m pretty sure we’ll have a conversation, work it out.

Tasmanian Times

Well with Labor the members have a say, what’s the (JLN) party process?

Andrew Jenner

We haven’t got one at the moment, to be honest, we’re all still new at this, still wet behind the ears. We’re not career politicians, we’re just normal people that have just, want to try and make a difference. And want to try and bring a bit of common sense back into Parliament.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is it part of the plan that you’ll just have a conversation amongst yourselves?

Andrew Jenner

Very much so, yep. I mean, if later on we have to select a leader we’ll do that between us. But at the moment, we’re quite happy just to work as a team.

Journalist – Elliott

And how would you describe the relationship you have with Jacqui Lambie [inaudible]?

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, so I think Jacqui will be very present with the three of us. She is our leader, and she’ll be mentoring us, especially, I guess, in the early stages of this. And she might let us fly later. But at the moment, yeah, he’s very much in contact with us.

Journalist – Matt

How much of a say would she have in those decisions you spoke about in terms of legislation, policy and so on?

Andrew Jenner

But I mean, obviously, she’s federal we’re state, so it comes down to us. She’ll guide us but that’s it.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

You’re obviously giving confidence and supply to the government?

Andrew Jenner

Correct.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Are you open to supporting bits of legislation that Labor or the Greens try to put through or motions that they put through as well?

Andrew Jenner

Very much so. I mean, this is not about as I said, politics, this is what’s best for Tasmanians. And if the Greens put it forward or Labor put it forward and us three really feel that it’s good for Tasmania, then they’ve got our support. And

Journalist – Matt

Just to be clear you – apart from confidence and supply – you’re not providing any guarantees about supporting this legislation or this [inaudible]?

Rebekah Pentland

Correct.

Journalist – Bob Burton

One of the reforms that the Rockliff government was pushed to introduce last year was disclosure of ministerial diaries. But they’ve opted for a pretty weak system of disclosure: only every three months, limited disclosure of what meetings occur, how long they went, who was there. Is that one of the sorts of things that you’ll be pushing for much better standards on?

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, I think we’re definitely about transparency. And I think that that would probably be something that we’d be looking at very closely.

Andrew Jenner

I think anything that’s accountable to the public, it’s public money. If we’re here spending it, then absolutely we should be held accountable. And so should they.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Are you excited?

Andrew Jenner

Super excited.

Tasmanian Times

What’s the timeframe in which we might know how these negotiations are progressing, like when is there likely to be an announcement made?

Andrew Jenner

For what? Sorry?

Tasmanian Times

Forming a government?

Rebekah Pentland

Within the week.

Andrew Jenner

Oh, absolutely, within the week.

Journalist – Matt

And in terms of signing a document, you’d expect to do that in a matter of days?

Andrew Jenner

Days, correct.

Miriam Beswick

Yeah.

Journalist – David Killick

It sounds from what you’ve said that that’ll be unconditional and for the life of the Parliament? You’re not putting any conditions on that agreement? And that’ll extend for the life of –

Andrew Jenner

Well, we haven’t actually said that. What we said is that you’ll see what happens when it’s released. There will be conditions, and it won’t probably be for the life of the parliament, because it will have to be reviewed probably every 12 months.

Journalist – David Killick

And in terms of it, it sounds like there are conditions in your mind. You’ve mentioned transparency and integrity. But obviously, there’s not a lot of detail around that yet the things that you want to see. Are they still things that you’re deciding? Are they still ideas that are forming in your head as you go?

Andrew Jenner

Absolutely, yeah, we’re still in discussions with our own advisors. As I said, we’re all new to this. So, you know, it would be naive of us to try and come in and go, ‘well, we want this and that and the other’ and it’s not be feasible. So we’ll work with them to put something in the document that is actually best for everybody: works for us works, for the government.

We’ve got, you know, a real interest in making this work. You know, obviously Labor threw in the towel quite early. We couldn’t form a government with them anyway. It was either work with Jeremy and work with him well, or we go back to an election, which I’m sure nobody wanted.

Journalist – Matt

Are the accountability and transparency measures you’re thinking of really to do with making sure your [inaudible] in the light and not in the dark?

Miriam Beswick

Yes, for the Tasmanian people.

Journalist – Elliott

Obviously delivering on the 191 recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry is a priority for the Parliament. Are you aware of the recommendations? Have you had a chance to look at that?

Rebekah Pentland

I think like we said, we’re going to be declared tomorrow. So until our feet are under that desk yeah we haven’t had a lot of time to look at.

Andrew Jenner

I’m sure that’s good night-time reading. But I haven’t done it yet.

Journalist – Adam Morton

Do you have views on the future of native forestry in the state? The government went to the election saying they would open up 40,000 hectares of forest protected under the forest peace deal in 2012 to the industry. Do you have a position on whether that’s supported.

Miriam Beswick

Yeah, look, we have our discussion paper that we’ve put out during the election period. And that was very clearly stating that Tasmanians don’t really want more native logging happening. We, you know, most of us want to preserve our habitat. And so we just really, you know, really want to be pushing for, encouraging, you know, a sustainable timber industry. But we want to avoid as much native logging as we can.

Journalist – David Killick

And similarly on aquaculture, there was some controversy over the party’s position on aquaculture. What’s your starting point on the aquaculture industry?

Journalist – Matt

Just a supplementary question if I may. Particularly Macquarie Harbour seems to be a touch point at the moment about the skate.

Miriam Beswick

Yeah, absolutely. So again, we need to make sure that we have long term industries, not destroying our environment. We need to make sure that these are sustainable, but not just for the next five years, they’re sustainable so that our grandchildren and our great grandchildren have those opportunities for employment.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

What motivated you to run for Parliament.

Rebekah Pentland

Look, I’ve had some issues with our health care system. I have a young son, he’s had a heart condition. And I’ve been looking for a platform since I’ve kind of muddled my way through that. So for me, I guess I’ve found my platform. And that’s really what inspired me to get up and running with Jacqui Lambie Network.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Andrew said you’re all normal people. What’s it been like as a normal person going through this.

Miriam Beswick

It’s wild.

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, look, it’s been an experience. And you know, like, you do need tough skin. And I think, you know, we’ve all worked hard. And you know, it’s paid off. And we’re here now and we can have a positive influence on our government and work for the people of Tasmania.

Journalist – Matt

Can you talk us through what it’s like to – have you been inside Parliament House yet – just describe if your could getting your heads around, becoming a member of parliament dealing with the Premier and all of this happening pretty quickly?

Rebekah Pentland

So what’s the question?

Journalist – Matt

What’s it like for a kind of average Joe or whatever? But you know, you’ve come into a situation where you’re not only a Member of Parliament, but you’re in the balance of power situation when you’re negotiating with the Premier. So perhaps if you could just give people an idea of what that’s actually like?

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, well, look, I think we won’t, we won’t know until we’re there. But we are all successful people in our own right. We’ve got a lifetime of experiences as true people. And that’s something that a lot of people in Parliament don’t have. And I think that will, you know, be steadfast for us in Parliament.

Miriam Beswick

Yeah, look, I think, if that was me on my own, that would be quite, very, very overwhelming. But as a team, I think we’re going to work through it together. And it’s just going to be a really exciting and interesting experience.

Andrew Jenner

Yeah, I think it’s, I mean, I won’t reiterate what they’ve said. But I think the real issue is, like you said, having the balance of power is really useful for us now. Yes, at the moment, we don’t know how to use it. But I can assure you, we will learn quick.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Miriam what motivated you to take the leap from the game of laser tag to the game of politics?

Miriam Beswick

I’m not quite sure that it was the game of laser tag per se. Actually, our business was laser tag, rock climbing, playground and cafe. So it wasn’t quite the small scale business you’re picturing. And no look, it’s you know, I actually studied PR back in the day. And, you know, I’ve always taken a little bit of interest in what’s going on around me and what and you know, what is upsetting my neighbourhood So, you know, it’s just a case of just the next stage of life.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

What issues motivate you personally?

Miriam Beswick

I just see the need in my community, and I just want to serve my community.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

People in Braddon voted for Craig Garland, they voted for the Jacqui Lambie network, particularly in the northwest. Are they disaffected with the status quo in your mind.

Miriam Beswick

I really do think that they do feel disaffected with the status quo. That is why in some ways I have chosen to be part of the Jacqui Lambie network. And, and I think, you know, we really going to show the values rather than a history of, of habit. So.

Journalist – Elliott

How important is your sense of faith to you? And do you have a particular stance on a ban on conversion practices?

Miriam Beswick

My faith is a huge part of my life I am, you know, when we had our in our playground business, we actually did have our church was actually in that same building. So it is a significant part of my life. When it comes to conversion practices, anything that is hurtful to our bodies and our children is not something that I would be encouraging.

Journalist – Elliott

So you would support a ban?

Miriam Beswick

I would want to see the information. I wouldn’t support it without that detail.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Rebecca had advocated for getting rid of land tax in your platform. How do you sort of go through all these different beliefs that you have, as you go through the Parliament? Is it sort of landing on one position between the three of you?

Rebekah Pentland

Yeah, look, I think everything is up for discussion with with the three of us and, you know, we’ll all have different ideas. And we’ll sit at a round table, and we’ll discuss those and, and come up with what’s best for JLN to move forward.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

I think all of us as journalists are quite used to interviewing politicians that pretend they know everything. You three are very comfortable in saying, ‘Look, I know what I know and I know what I don’t know’. And you’re comfortable in saying that. Do you think that holds you in good stead that you’re not coming in with solutions to everything?

Andrew Jenner

I hope so because I mean, that’s half the reason that people turn off to politics because you’ve got people standing in front of you either treating your as though, you’re sort of you don’t know what you’re talking or hearing. And we don’t. We’re quite happy to say ‘look, we’re on a learning learning curve as well. We’re the same as your but we’re just going to, we’ve gotten lucky enough now to be voted in to try and make difference’ and, you know, try and bring some common sense to what sometimes seems like a madhouse.

Tasmanian Times

Under the parliamentary rules four members constitutes a party and that brings with it extra resources. Now, you’re only three. But given what Andrew said about the balance of power, would you be lobbying the Premier to provide you with some extra resources so you can actually do your role well?

Andrew Jenner

Very much so. I mean, we and to be fair, we need those extra resources. Because in some ways, our naivety, we are new at this. And so if we can get more resources, it’ll only help us do our jobs. And our jobs is for the Tasmanian people.

Journalist – Elliott

Does the situation with Tammy Tyrrell makes you nervous, that if you don’t fit with the values of the Jacqui Lambie Network, and essentially you’ll be shown the door?

Andrew Jenner

It doesn’t make me nervous at all. I think that’s between really Jacqui and Tammy. And it’s not something we’d probably want to discuss. Thanks.

Journalist – Elliott

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourselves? What kind of environment do you think you’ll be walking into? We know that there’s leadership challenges, Dean Winter’s trying to become Labour leader at the moment, the Liberals have their own divisions, what do you feel you’re walking into?

Andrew Jenner

It feels like we’re walking into a bear pit? But I’m hoping when, you know, as you said, we’ve not even been inside Parliament House, let alone to actually get where they start making decisions. So once again, it’s gonna be one of those suck and see things and yeah, I mean, we’re hoping they’ll all act like adults. But yeah, that’s to be seen, isn’t it?

Journalist – Matt

It’s early days but you guys have any view on who should be Speaker? You’ll have a vote so do you have a view on who should be Speaker perhaps?

Andrew Jenner

I don’t know. Once again, we don’t know enough about it.

Miriam Beswick

We’ve got a lot of people to meet in the next couple of weeks. So maybe when we get to know them.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Have you guys ever been a member of a political party before JLN?

Miriam Beswick

No.

Rebekah Pentland

Never.

Andrew Jenner

I was in England.

Journalist – Matt

Were you a member of the Conservative Party?

Andrew Jenner

I was.

Journalist – Matt

How do you reconcile that with the JLN, which is generally seen as – you might take exception to this – but generally seen as left of centre or very centrist?

Andrew Jenner

Quite easy, really. I mean, you know, I’ve come from England, as the mayor of a Tory party. When I came here, it was totally different system. You know, the values weren’t probably the same. It was a different sort of political setup. And I was very comfortable fitting in with Jacqui’s idea of what should be. I’ve always been even in my party in England, a person that wanted to put the electorate first as opposed to the party. Now, that didn’t always sit well in England. And I’m sure it wouldn’t sit too well here. But it’s sat perfectly with Jacqui. And so I felt really comfortable.

Journalist – Elliott

What was the number one thing you heard from members of the public throughout the campaign? What are they fed up with?

Rebekah Pentland

They haven’t been heard. People haven’t been heard. And I think that that’s a genuine thing for all electorates. You know, we want to hear people we want an open door policy, and we want to be their voice.

Andrew Jenner

It’s one of them. Yeah, I mean, very much so. I mean, obviously, there’s lots of talk about stadium there’s lots of talk about as you say about the salmon, and the fisheries and the logging. They’re issues that we will address, I can assure you. But it was basically that people just felt they weren’t being heard. They just weren’t being listened to. And it was almost like an old boys network, they were just doing what they wanted in there. And then just feeding bits of information out through yourselves. People are fed up with that. And that’s shown in the election.

Journalist – Matt

Do any of you have firm views on the Marinus Project?

Rebekah Pentland

No, like everything else until we really hit the ground now and do all that night-time reading. I don’t think we can –

Andrew Jenner

I mean the Marinus Project is obviously important. But if Tasmania isn’t going to get anything out of it, I don’t understand why we’re putting so much into it. You know, it’s got to be a quid pro quo. If you know, as long as we’re getting something back out of it, then we can look at it. But if it’s just all going one way then no.