This is a post where we will add questions that we have asked – of politicians, public figures, government agencies, councils, corporations, lobby groups, you name it – in the public interest, but have not received an answer after a reasonable length of time.
The questions will stay here until answered. Periodically, when we remember, we will follow up with those questioned. Any brushoffs will be quoted verbatim. If/when answered properly and to our satisfaction, the answer will be posted verbatim, and the completed question moved to the bottom of this page.
??? Ugly Monstrous Questions Still in the Basket ???
Jacqui Lambie Network Board
To: JLN, [email protected], 9 April 2024
Question(s): Jacqui Lambie and (ex-JLN) Tammy Tyrrell have both referenced a JLN “board” a few times. Who is on this board? Are they elected by party members? If not, how are they chosen? What powers and responsibilities do they have?
Response: Nil.
Note: Given the obvious interest in the JLN after the 2024 state election where the party won seats in the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the first time, this question is very pertinent and requires a prompt answer.
Glynn Williams is known to be on the board. Giovanna Simpson was Secretary of the JLN. We understand that during the build-up to the election she signed a JLN candidate’s Candidate Agreement form, resigned as Secretary, and announced herself as a Liberal Party candidate for Braddon, all on the same day.
Update: Ian Basckin, according to his LinkedIn profile, is a JLN board member. We put to him similar questions by text message to his mobile on 13 April 2024.
Questions from Tasmanian Times for on-the-record answers:
Are you a current member of the JLN board? Who else is on this board? Are they elected by party members? If not, how are they chosen? What powers and responsibilities do they have? What is your role? Are you remunerated in any way for your work, if so by whom? How is the board accountable to the JLN Party members?
Tame Completed Questions Now Happily At Rest
Yeah as if anything ever gets properly answered in Tasmania :-/
Ben Marshall
April 13, 2024 at 10:49
The big question for Lambie is a doozy, namely “Did the JLN members only stand for election in order to win Liberal preferences for Jacquie Lambie’s next tilt at the Senate?”
Guy Rundle, in Tasmania for Crikey, got this scoop from JLN’s James Redgrave:
“When I was interviewed for standing, they were clear with me, that this is to get Jacqui elected in two years time.” Redgrave told me after the event. Oh, I thought .. actual news.
“Are you sure you want to say that?” I asked. Jonathan Swan I am not.
“Yes, yes, I don’t care.” Redgrave may well get up, as Braddon is Lambie country. But since the network will not bind its elected members, and couldn’t even if it wanted to, and, uh, has no policies in any case, it is all the white card of a white card.”
—~—
So now we’ve got three placeholders who appear well to the Right of Lambie (and to most of the people who gave them preferences) and who have no policies and didn’t think they’d even get elected .. while wasting all our time so Jacqui can win some marginal advantage in the future.
If this is basically correct then Lambie should cop it sweet .. and be extremely ashamed of herself for exactly the kinds of corrupt, self-interested hypocrisy she likes to call out.