Senator Nampijinpa Price talks with host Karl Stevanovic and panel guest Jacquie Lambie on the Today show Channel Nine

25 March 2024, 6:45am AEDT

Subjects: Tasmania Election, Newspoll results, Government minimum wage call, Jacquie Lambie’s love life

Karl Stefanovic 
Tasmania's Liberal Party has fallen short of a majority with Jacquie Lambie's party looking like Premier Jeremy Rockcliffe's best bet for minority government. Joining us to discuss, Tasmanian Senator Jacquie Lambie and Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price, both in Canberra. Morning Ladies, nice to see bouncing on this Monday morning. Jacquie for you, you must have bounced out of bed this morning like an episode of MAFS, all loved up?

Jacquie Lambie 
Oh jeez, I don't know about the loved-up bit, we might not go into that. Jesus, that's depressing me already Karl, thank you for reminding me about my nonexistent love life!

Karl Stefanovic 
Oh, come one! You've got everyone after you now! 

Jacquie Lambie 
Yeah, I've become quite popular in the last 24 hours, to be honest.

Karl Stefanovic 
That's what I'm talking about, how are the deals getting done?

Jacquie Lambie 
You know, we still don't know how many we've got up exactly. It's probably going to be another two weeks before we know that certainly, it would be nice to see that set in by end of play Wednesday before Easter starts. Look, hopefully we'll get the three seats down there. That's up the North here and then we just go from there. Obviously, Jeremy has been reaching out, Rebecca's been reaching out, all those lines have been open, those lines of communication. We sort of move on, the Lambies, you can get really angry with them, the way they play filthy in the um, during the election but when, you know, if you're going to be part of that balance of power, you know, you need to be adults, you need to move on for that, you'll have to forgive and keep moving on for that, for the sake of Tasmania ,and that's what we intend on doing my I suppose

Karl Stefanovic 
I suppose the footy stadium's not going to happen under your watch now, and what happens to those 150,000 new members, sparkling members?

Jacquie Lambie 
You know those 150,000 members; we've always wanted a football team down in Tasmania. What we're asking for is integrity and transparency. That's what we sold the brand on. We'll continue to do that. I think that certainly if they get that balance of power, I think behind closed doors we need to have a look at that contract. That would be the first thing we'll be coming for.

Karl Stefanovic 
Jacinta, elections, by-elections that don't seem to be good for any sitting government right now. Duncan was a nightmare for you, it's all over the shop.

Senator Nampijinpa Price 
Yeah, look it is what it is. We have to move forward from that, you know. For me, we've got the Northern Territory, the election coming up in August, we're hoping for a win there to support Territorians a lot better than the situation that they're currently going through. And I think it's across the board at the minute with Labor governments, both State, Territory and Federally of course, Australians aren't doing so great overall. But it's onward and upward and pushing forward.

Karl Stefanovic 
Okay, on a federal level Labor has taken a hit in the Latest News poll. Primary vote has Labor 32%, for the Coalition, the 37%. Jacquie, it seems to me the Greens and Independents are going to be front and centre again at the next election, whenever that is.

Jacquie Lambie 
Yeah well, I hope so. I think certainly those major parties have had years and years and years to show what they're made of, and obviously Australians are not, they're happy with them at this point in time, you know, 24-hour news cycle mate, a lot more opportunity out there for people to speak these days. So, you know, it'd be very, very interesting, but I think people – we’re the last western country I think Karl, or one of the last to sort of not have that. That sort of the majority is on the sidelines where you've got independents and micro parties in there making, making better deals, making better legislation. That's how I see it.

Karl Stefanovic 
Jacinta, you'd see it differently, but you've got a lot of work to do, both parties do. Will you support, for example, the breakup of Coles and Woolies the Greens are proposing?

Senator Nampijinpa Price 
Look, I think going forward, we'd like to see a lot better for Australians in terms of cost of living and if that means, you know, sorting out the big supermarkets then they need to be sorted out. But going forward, certainly, I know that Peter Dutton has demonstrated some fierce leadership going forward, especially against the Prime Minister who seems to be nowhere and everywhere at the same time, not where he's needed. He’s showing his face around the Northern Territory, but I think it's come a little too late for him. Of course, Peter Dutton has been strong. He's been to the Territory several times, he’s been across the issues that are most important to Territorians and to Australians, I think, and we're going to continue to work for Australians going forward, and to demonstrate that Peter Dutton should be the next prime minister, for Australians, for a better Australia

Karl Stefanovic 
Okay, let's talk some business this week. Moving on the Albanese government has announced that they will push for a minimum wage rise calling on the Fair Work Commission to ensure salaries don't go backwards. Jacquie, do you think the Fair Work Commission should back it?

Jacquie Lambie 
I don't have a problem with people getting pay rises, what I have a problem with is the promise of the Labor Party when the government came in and said that it would remove red tape off small businesses and all it's done is plowed them with more red tape. It is not fair on them either. You know we had 7000 businesses, small businesses, shut down in Tasmania last year, and it's becoming a real problem out there, so you need to do something. I'm begging you to do something about small businesses in this country, because you are not doing nearly enough. They need some breathing room mate; without those small businesses the unemployment rate will go up. It's as simple as that. Alright, so

Karl Stefanovic 
Alright so Jacinta, on small businesses, this is your wheelhouse and they’re already struggling, is this the last thing they need?

Senator Nampijinpa Price 
Look, this is a result of the Albanese government's failure to improve the lives of Australians. The high inflation that we've experienced, of course, we want real wages growth and we want support for small family businesses, medium sized businesses, that this Labor government have totally neglected. The only way we'll see wages growth and lower inflation is with better leadership. We're not getting that right now through Albanese, through Jim Chalmers. So yeah, look, Australia's got a decision to make fairly soon and I'm looking forward to the fight.

Karl Stefanovic 
Okay. The Treasurer is on the show in about half an hour's time, any message to him directly Jacinta?  

Senator Nampijinpa Price 
Do your job lot better than you're doing, mate, because you're letting Australians down.

Karl Stefanovic 
Alright, and Jacquie just finally finished with this one. How is your love life, given the wooing that has happened over the last 24 hours?

Jacquie Lambie 
Yeah, it's just not the right people wooing me mate. Personally. If anyone wants to try it on this morning, you've got my email!

Karl Stefanovic 
I love it, thanks ladies.