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This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Jacqui Lambie’s replacement in the Senate, Steve Martin, has joined the Nationals, and become the first National to represent Tasmania in 90 years.

The surprise move brings the Coalition’s Senate numbers to 31, slightly easing its task in negotiating contentious legislation past a crowded crossbench.

Martin made the announcement at a press conference in Devonport with the Nationals leader, Michael McCormack, and deputy leader, Bridget McKenzie, on Monday.

Martin – the former mayor of Devonport – cited his small business background and his desire “to get the best outcomes for Tasmanians” as his reasons for the move.

He denied that he had swapped as a result of a “deal” with the Nationals, explaining he was drawn to the party by “their focus on key issues such as natural resources, teamwork and, of course, people”.

McCormack said he was delighted that Martin would “reinvigorate the National party” in Tasmania, likening him to the Tasmanian tiger – now extinct and last seen in 1936 – because no National had represented Tasmania in federal parliament since William McWilliams in 1927.

McKenzie recalled listening to Martin’s inaugural Senate speech and thinking he was “one of us”.

“Small business, commitment to community, local issues and a doer – that’s the mantra of the National party,” she said.

The Family First senator Lucy Gichuhi defected to the Coalition in February.

Martin won Lambie’s seat in a Senate vote recount in February after Lambie quit in November due to her dual citizenship but will only serve the balance of a three-year term.

Martin refused to relinquish the seat to Lambie who wanted to re-enter the Senate and – despite running on the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) ticket – defected to become an independent shortly after taking the seat.

The independent senator supported the Coalition’s company tax cut package after negotiating a package including $47.5m of funding for key Tasmanian projects and $200m over four years for the Tasmanian freight equalisation scheme.

In his inaugural Senate speech in March, Martin labelled himself the “Steven Bradbury” of the Senate – in reference to his unexpected entry from the second place on the JLN Senate ticket. He also called for a boost to the productivity of the Tasmanian tourism and agriculture industries.

The Nationals have little institutional infrastructure in Tasmania, where they reregistered in 2013, but the party brand could provide a useful vehicle for Martin to attempt re-election after his break with the JLN.

Asked where he would be preselected on the Coalition ticket for the next election, Martin said it was a “matter for the party organisation”.



Asked how JLN voters would feel, given Lambie had long been a “thorn in the side” of the Coalition, Martin said that he joined the JLN on the proviso he would be independent and could cross the floor on any issue.

“The recount is just a part of life – unfortunate for the JLN – but here I am, large as life, proud to be here having scored some very important projects for Tasmania,” he said.

Before the announcement, Bill Shorten was asked about the prospect of Martin jumping ship, and he replied that it was “important that crossbenchers actually vote independently and are not just a proxy vote for the Liberal party”.

Steve Martin says he will not hand Senate seat back to Jacqui Lambie Read more

The Nationals are looking to bolster their team in preparation for a federal election that will see the new Coalition combination of Malcolm Turnbull and McCormack tested before voters for the first time.

The Queensland Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan is facing a strong challenge for his place on the Senate ticket from Susan McDonald, a well known face among the state’s cattle industry, whose father was a one-time president of the Nationals.

O’Sullivan is seen in some quarters as part of the cohort holding the party back from attempts to “modernise”, amid fears of a declining vote as traditional supporters begin to turn to minor parties