Jacqui Lambie sacked as deputy leader, appears poised to quit PUP
Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie has been demoted by party leader Clive Palmer after failing to attend several party meetings this week.
In a statement, Mr Palmer said Senator Lambie has been removed as deputy Senate leader and deputy whip of the party, but had not been expelled.
• Jacqui Lambie splits from Palmer United Party to vote against social services bill
• Lambie goes rogue on ADF pay
“This will be enforced until such time she gives an undertaking to cease personal attacks on party members and to follow major decisions of the party room,” Mr Palmer said.
Senator Lambie has removed all Palmer United Party insignia from her website, and arrived at parliament on Wednesday without a splash of the party’s signature yellow.
The outspoken politician is at loggerheads with party leader Clive Palmer after threatening to vote down all government legislation until defence personnel are given a bigger pay rise.
In a recent interview with ABC’s 7.30, Senator Lambie accused Mr Palmer of ‘sitting on the fence’ and ‘backflipping’ on the issue.
“Clive Palmer can no longer sit on the fence, he’s either standing by me or he’s standing near the Liberal National Party but I’m not going to stand around and watch Clive Palmer back flipping,” Senator Lambie said.
In a statement, Mr Palmer accused Senator Lambie of being a “drama queen”.
“I am amazed why Jacqui Lambie is being such a drama queen when the Palmer United Party unanimously supports the ADF and opposes the government’s proposed pay structure,” Mr Palmer said in a statement.
Speaking to media on Wednesday morning, PUP senator Glenn Lazarus said Senator Lambie was a “spirited individual”.
He renewed his support for Clive Palmer, and said communication had broken-down with Senator Lambie.
He also said she was a “spirited individual”.
“I think Clive’s done more than enough to try and rectify any issues with Jacqui Lambie,” Senator Lazarus said.
“She’s got a bee in her bonnet about the issue of ADF pay, so do we.”
“We’d like to know what the issue is but she won’t come and tell us.”
Senator Lambie has removed all PUP branding from her website.