Jacqui Lambie unleashed a furious tirade after being asked a question on The Project about the proposed new AFL stadium to be built in Hobart.
The firebrand senator appeared on Monday night’s show to discuss the controversial project for Tasmania’s new AFL team.
An independent report released by the state government at the weekend revealed that the new 23,000-capacity venue in Hobart will cost more than $1 billion to build.
Economist Nicholas Gruen’s report also highlighted major concerns about costs, mismanagement and exaggerated economic benefits.
Tasmania’s two main parties have not yet backed the project, which will need to be approved by both houses of parliament later this year to go ahead.
Hours after criticizing the proposed stadium as a “real failure” and urging the state government to tell the AFL to “move on”, Senator Lambie doubled down on The Project, calling the project “an absolute disgrace” and a “damn disaster.” disaster’.
He became enthused after comedian Sam Taunton sparked a debate by pointing out that the AFL usually gets what it wants.
Mention of Hobart’s proposed AFL stadium set Jacqui Lambie off on Monday night.
“If Tasmania gets a team and a new stadium is built…” Taunton asked before the senator quickly intervened.
‘Dude, honestly, I have to be honest with you. “I don’t give a damn how powerful they are,” he said.
You’re talking to Jacqui Lambie and I don’t give a damn!
The insult sparked laughter among the panelists as the senator issued a scathing message to the AFL.
‘I don’t mind! My job is to achieve the best for the nation and the best for the country. That’s my job, so I don’t care!’ she raged.
Go on, put on your big shirts and take Jacqui Lambie!
Taunton interrupted: ‘Jacqui, I’m not going to build the stadium! It’s not me. I need you to know that!’
A furious Senator Lambie was eager to put Taunton in his place.
‘That’s right, take me to the table with them, Big Boy!’ she said.
Taunton joked: ‘Thanks for calling me Big Boy!’
The senator responded: ‘Calm down. Put the ego back in the paper bag!’
Senator’s foul-mouthed rant shocked The Project’s Georgie Tunny and Sarah Harris
Panelist Georgie Tunny added: ‘It’s too much to hold back Jacqui! It’s too much!’
Host Sarah Harris chimed in as the segment concluded.
‘Jacqui, you’ve made Sam’s night… and his life!’ she said.
Senator Lambie responded: “You wouldn’t be the first one I’ve made blush!”
The fiery segment divided viewers.
‘Jacqui Lambie was too histrionic. Congratulations to Sam Taunton for asking the right questions,” one wrote.
Another added: OMG! She’s so embarrassing
But others praised the senator and led calls for her to be the next prime minister.
“I love that woman,” wrote another.
Comedian Sam Taunton (pictured) was put in his place by the firebrand senator.
The report found the cost of Macquarie Point Stadium would increase by $321 million and had been “significantly underestimated”, while the cost-benefit ratio had been “significantly overstated” by 44 cents for every dollar invested.
“Tasmania deserves an AFL team and should have it at the right cost, but not at any cost,” Mr Gruen said in the report.
“Tasmania is not a wealthy state and must face significant social and economic challenges.”
Gruen found the project already showed “the hallmarks of poor management”, and said the state government’s commitment to deliver it without borrowing more than $375 million “cannot be met”.
Construction of the 23,000-seat waterfront stadium is a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL, with the Tasmanian Devils set to join the competition in 2028.