Abbott ‘put daughters at risk’
Bridget and Frances Abbott with their father Tony
New senator Jacqui Lambie says the Prime Minister put his political career ahead of his daughters’ safety by “parading” them for the media in last year’s election campaign.
The Tasmanian senator, who took office on Tuesday, launched the criticism of Tony Abbott in an interview on Radio National this morning, adding that she believed the Coalition leader was a “political psychopath”.
“What really finished it off with me was when in the last election how he was parading his daughters around … because that’s a security issue,” she said.
Senator Lambie said being a former Army corporal, this was the “last straw” for her in assessing Mr Abbott’s character.
“That really bothers me that you’ve got those pretty young girls running around in front of a camera, and I just thought, ‘Is your political career more important than your own daughters’ security?’,” she said.
Senator Lambie denied her party leader and founder Clive Palmer dictated policy, adding that she had recently managed to convince him to change his position to support the Renewable Energy Target (RET).
She also confirmed Mr Palmer wanted to lead the country.
“Why wouldn’t we want to have him as prime minister, he’s got the economic brain,” she said.
Senator Lambie said she would not lie about her political positions and views because she would not be able to face her parents’ disappointment, nor the voters of Tasmania.
