Canberra, ACT – Tasmania's independent senator, Tammy Tyrrell, has formally joined the Labor Party. The move, announced Thursday, grants the government an additional vote in the Senate, though it does not fundamentally alter the legislative arithmetic requiring broader consensus for passage of most bills. Tyrrell, formerly of the Jacqui Lambie Network before becoming an independent, stated her decision reflects a consistent alignment with government policy.
Tyrrell's shift to Labor enhances the government's Senate numbers, moving from an independent position on the crossbench to officially joining the governing party's caucus.
Tyrrell, who has been an independent senator for over two years after leaving the Jacqui Lambie Network, declared herself a "Labor girl" upon joining the party. She indicated a desire for a "seat at the table" to effect change and expressed pride in her alignment with the administration. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the senator, highlighting her advocacy style and noting that her voting record has frequently mirrored the government's positions during her tenure.
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"I have supported Labor very regularly over the last four years, but I’ve also pushed back," Tyrrell stated, emphasizing that her intention is to continue speaking up from within the party room. She also pushed back against suggestions of betraying her voters, asserting her capacity to perform her duties as a Labor member.
This marks the second senator to join Labor in the past year, increasing their Senate contingent to 30 members. Despite the bolstered numbers, the government will still require support from the Greens or the opposition to pass legislation. Tyrrell's transition was facilitated by Labor’s National Executive Committee, and she joins the Labor Caucus immediately.
Her move follows a period where the Nationals also reportedly approached crossbenchers, including Tyrrell, about joining them after they lost their Senate party status. Tyrrell stated she would aim to run for Labor in the next election. She also declined to explicitly endorse specific past policies, such as the teen social media ban, framing her switch as a "fresh start".
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