Senator Jacqui Lambie has secured another six-year term in the federal Senate, fending off a competitive challenge following the May 3 election.
It took nearly three weeks for preference votes to be fully counted before Lambie was confirmed as the fifth senator elected from Tasmania. The final seats came down to a tight four-way contest between Lambie, returning Liberal senator Richard Colbeck, a Labor candidate, and One Nation’s Lee Hanson, daughter of Pauline Hanson.
Speaking on ABC Radio Hobart, Senator Lambie admitted she was particularly concerned Labor might clinch the last seat. “I was thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, they might take that third seat back,’” she said.
Lower Vote Share, But Re-Elected
The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) received 7.92% of the vote — a decline from the 8.92% secured in 2019 and lower than in 2022 when Tammy Tyrell was elected.
Lambie attributed the dip to Labor’s strong campaign in the final weeks leading up to the election. “There wasn’t much more I could’ve done,” she said. “Labor was finishing really strong.”
No Regrets Over Bold Stances
Lambie has not shied away from controversial issues, particularly in Tasmania. She was a vocal critic of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, famously telling Premier Jeremy Rockliff in 2023 to “stick it up your bum.” She’s also spoken out against salmon farming.
Despite her strong opinions, Lambie denied these positions had affected her popularity. “I get a lot of feedback. The majority of Tasmanians don’t want that stadium with a roof,” she said.
JLN Expansion and Setbacks
Lambie also defended the JLN’s expansion efforts during the election, with candidates running in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia — including former senator Rex Patrick. She clarified those campaigns were self-funded and did not divert resources from her own.
Though the Jacqui Lambie Network won three seats in Tasmania’s 2023 state election, the party soon fractured, with only one MP remaining.
Looking Ahead — and Saying Goodbye
Now entering what she confirmed will be her final Senate term, the former soldier cited physical strain from her military service as a key reason.
“I’ve had some changes to my back, and it’s getting harder. Sixteen years is a long time — it’s time for some fresh faces,” she said.
In her final term, Lambie plans to spotlight Tasmanian issues on the national agenda, including concerns over state debt and the controversial stadium project.
She also renewed her call for a fairer distribution of mining royalties, arguing that profits from Western Australia’s resources should benefit all Australians.
“If it’s coming out of your ground, it still belongs to everyone,” she said.
