The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN), founded on May 14, 2015, by Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, is a political party in Australia known for its populist and socially conservative stances. Initially part of the Palmer United Party, Lambie formed JLN to continue her political career independently, particularly to re-contest her Senate seat.
Key policies include the establishment of a comprehensive national apprenticeship, trade, and traineeship system involving the Australian Defence Force and TAFEs; the creation of dedicated Indigenous seats in parliament; and the support for implementing a carbon tax. Lambie has been a strong advocate for a royal commission into veteran suicide, opposing the government's preference for a National Commissioner and advocating for a solution that aligns with the desires of affected families and critics.
In terms of political finance, Lambie introduced legislation aimed at enhancing transparency by significantly lowering the disclosure threshold for political donations. On economic matters, she has campaigned to bolster Australian manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports, an issue highlighted by the challenges posed by COVID-19.
The party expresses strong concerns about foreign interference in Australian democracy and economy, specifically highlighting threats from China. Additionally, JLN supports the introduction of a financial transactions tax as part of its broader reformative and protective policies across various domains.
The JLN achieved electoral success in the 2022 federal election and the 2024 Tasmanian state election, marking its presence in both the Senate and the Tasmanian House of Assembly. However, in March 2024, Senator Tammy Tyrrell announced her resignation from the party to sit as an independent, indicating internal disagreements on representation and policy direction.
The Jacqui Lambie Network aims to reshape Australian politics by promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The party seeks to represent diverse Australian communities, particularly those overlooked by mainstream politics, advocating for policies that directly benefit the underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups.
It emphasizes the importance of community input in legislative processes and aims to bring real change by focusing on grassroots involvement and direct engagement with constituents.
The Jacqui Lambie Network is also known as Jln, Lambie Network.