LAMBIE CASE ERUPTS
Terror threat, sexual innuendo and stressed staff ... the bitter office split that put Tassie Senator in hot seat
SENATOR Jacqui Lambie bie says claims by her former r chief of staff have impacted on her personally, as graphic new details emerge of their bitter legal fight.
A suppression order has s been lifted from a statementnt of claim, detailing numerousus allegations against Senator Lambie in a Fair Work case initiated by her for- mer chief of staff Rob Messenger and his wife, former of office manager Fern Messe enger. “I’d be lying if I said Mr M Messenger’s recent comme ments about me ... haven’t take taken a toll,” said Senator Lambi Lambie, pictured.
THE Federal Government failed to provide an appropriate response to a terror threat made by an Islamic State representative to Senator Jacqui Lambie’s office, a court document filed by her former chief of staff says.
A suppression order was lifted from a since amended statement of claim detailing numerous allegations against Senator Lambie in a Fair Work case initiated by former chief of staff Rob Messenger and his wife, former office manager Fern Messenger.
The couple lodged action in the Federal Court, alleging breaches of the workplace award and breach of contract.
The claim also relates to general protection provisions of the Fair Work Act.
On Monday, the Messengers’ amended statements of claim were publicly released.
The claims allege the couple were dismissed for “serious misconduct” after contacting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about Senator Lambie’s alleged inappropriate workplace behaviour.
In a case management hearing in the Federal Court in Melbourne yesterday, appearing via video link to Hob- art, Justice Tony Pagone formally lifted the suppression order on the original statement of claim written by the Messengers.
An application by Senator Lambie’s defence lawyer to have certain “scandalous” sections of the document struck out was rejected by the judge.
“Some of the allegations could be seen as graphic, but they are all apt to be relevant to workplace conduct,” Justice Pagone said.
The original document, which will be superseded in court by a new amended version, stated that on February 27, 2015, the Senator received a letter purporting to be from an Islamic State representative, making a terror threat on her office in Burnie.
The statement of claim said complaints were made by Mr Messenger about what he considered to be a “lack of appropriate security response” by the Commonwealth Gov- ernment’s security agencies to the threat and Senator Lambie’s refusal to close her office temporarily while the issue was investigated.
It claimed advice from the Australian Federal Police, given to Senator Lambie on October 29, 2015 was that the terror threat “essentially remained unresolved.”
The Mercury reported at the time the letter warned the outspoken politician she would be beheaded unless she converted to Islam and promoted sharia law in Australia.
It included a graphic image of a man having his head sliced off with a knife.
A spokesman for the AFP said yesterday it had accepted the referral for investigation from Tasmania Police in February 2015 and Senator Lambie was notified of the outcome of the matter in October that year. The AFP would make no further comment on the terror threat.
Other complaints detailed in the newly released court document related to Senator Lambie’s alleged workplace behaviour.
In July 2016, the Messengers held a meeting with Senator Lambie to complain about behaviour including; BEING generally aggressive and grumpy at work; REGULARLY announcing to staff words to the effect ‘I haven’t got laid in a long time’ and ‘I desperately need a root’; REGULARLY using language in the presence of staff such as ‘c... a...’ REQUIRING untrained staff to take calls about suicide and graphic sexual assault at all times of day from war veterans; REGULARLY abusing Mrs Messenger because she complained or took action to prevent the Senator from breaches of standing orders, contempts of parliament and “questionable behaviour” relating to the pecuniary interest register and the illegal use of Jacqui Lambie Network funds.
It is also claimed Senator Lambie proposed to dismiss a staff member who needed to take time away from work to
care for their mother “who was suffering through the final stages of terminal cancer”.
Mr Messenger outlined the impact of his “excessive workload” on his ability to meet the initial deadline for an autobiography manuscript, which Senator Lambie had privately contracted Mr Messenger to write for publishers Allen & Unwin. This matter is currently before the Magistrates Court of Tasmania in Burnie.
The couple also claimed they made regular complaints about the Senator’s alleged excessive alcohol consumption, which they said could impact on her work health and safety, and that of other office staff.
It was claimed following a radio interview on Hobart’s Heart FM in July 2014, where Senator Lambie said she was looking for a rich man with a “package between their legs” that the Messengers were verbally abused by members of the public as a result.
Justice Pagone ruled the Commonwealth and Senator Lambie must file their defences by October 2 and the Messengers must file their reply by October 16.
A further hearing will be held on October 19. jessica.howard@news.com.au