Jacqui defiant: ‘I have nothing to hide’

TASMANIAN Senator Jacqui Lambie says claims by her former chief of staff have impacted on her personally.

“I’d be lying if I said Mr Messenger’s recent comments about me in the media haven’t taken a toll,” Senator Lambie said.

“I always try to stand up for what I believe in, I stand up for myself and my staff, and I stick up for the little guy.

“I’m doing this on my own and it’s tough”.

The original statement of claim, which has been amended under orders from Justice Tony Pagone, was full of material that was highly objectionable, prejudicial and embarrassing, she said.

“The fact he’s already walked away from his original statement of claim looks like not even he believes [some of] the hurtful things he’s saying,” she said.

“Mr Messenger’s lawyer, since sacked by him, admitted in court that the document had to be changed in part because of the ‘scandalous’ material it contained’.

“It was replaced by a new document yet, by quirk of the court rules, the now discarded document becomes available to look at.”

Senator Lambie dismissed Mr Messenger, who was paid $133,218 a year, and his wife, Fern, after Mr Messenger wrote to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull complaining about Senator Lambie’s workplace conduct.

“I have nothing to hide. All I have is my reputation,” Senator Lambie said.