Glenn Lazarus quits Palmer United Party after wife Tess sacked from party

Updated

Queensland senator Glenn Lazarus has parted ways with the Palmer United Party (PUP) following the sacking of his wife from the party.

PUP national director Peter Burke said he terminated the employment of Tess Lazarus yesterday because "she failed to comply with the terms of her employment".

The statement did not elaborate on what those terms were.

Senator Lazarus issued a statement at midnight (AEST) saying he had a different view of teamwork to the party's leader Clive Palmer.

"I have today resigned from the Palmer United Party. This was a difficult decision," the statement read.

"I have a different view of team work. Given this, I felt it best that I resign from the party and pursue my Senate role as an independent senator."

He said he was deeply grateful to the mining magnate for the opportunity to be involved in the party.

"I sincerely wish Clive and his family all the very best for the future," Senator Lazarus said.

Mr Burke said in a statement it was "disappointing for the thousands of members of the Palmer United Party that individuals have put their personal interests ahead of party priorities and what can be achieved for Australia".

He said the reason for Senator Lazarus's resignation was "self-evident".

"I note from his statement his reasons were not related to political matters or to the duty he had to promote the party policy and to support its platform, its membership and the thousands of Queenslanders who trusted him to stay strong to these values having elected him to the Senate," Mr Burke said.

PUP's influence in Senate whittled away

Senator Lazarus's Twitter account now states he is an independent senator for Queensland.

"I am determined to do my best in representing, and being a voice for, the people of Queensland in the Australian Senate," he said.

"I will miss working with my esteemed colleague, Senator Dio Wang."

Since the 2013 election, Tasmanian senator Jacquie Lambie also quit the PUP and now sits as an independent.

The shock departure of Senator Lazarus has reduced Mr Palmer's power in the Upper House to just one vote.

After last year's election, Mr Palmer's party controlled four votes in the Senate through its three PUP senators and a loose alliance with Motoring Enthusiast Party senator Ricky Muir.

Western Australia's Senator Wang is now the sole Palmer United Party representative in the Senate.

Liberal frontbencher Josh Frydenberg said the Government was looking forward to working with Senator Lazarus as an independent.

"I've found Glenn Lazarus in all my dealings with him to be thoroughly decent and fair," he said.

Topics: federal-parliament, government-and-politics, political-parties, clive-palmer, qld, australia

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