Labor's Senate Numbers Get a Boost Amid Party-Hopping Frenzy: Tammy Tyrrell Makes Surprise Switch In a move that has sent shockwaves through Australian politics, Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell has defected to the Labor Party, bringing with her a crucial Senate seat that will give the government a much-needed boost. The unexpected switch comes just as the country is in the midst of budget week, and it marks the latest development in a series of high-profile party-hopping moves that have been a hallmark of the current Senate term. Tyrrell's decision to join Labor follows a falling-out with former ally Jacqui Lambie in 2024, after which she sat as an independent for over two years. With this latest development, Labor now has one more seat in the Senate, but still falls short of a majority - setting the stage for continued negotiations and power plays in the upper house.
Addition of Tasmanian crossbencher means Labor has gained a seat in the Senate – but still doesn’t have a majorityFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer Jacqui Lambie ally Tammy Tyrrell has defected to the Labor party, becoming the latest party-hopping senator to be lured by Anthony Albanese’s government.Tyrrell, the Tasmanian senator who had a falling-out with Lambie in 2024, has sat as an independent for more than two years. But on Thursday, in an unexpected move during budget week, the prime minister announced she would be admitted to the Labor party and would serve out the rest of her term as a government member. Continue reading...
