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 program to discuss the controversial project earmarked for Tasmania’s new AFL team.
An independent report released by the state government on the weekend revealed that constructing the new 23,000 capacity venue in Hobart will cost more than $1 billion.
The report from economist Nicholas Gruen also highlighted major concerns about costs, mismanagement and overstated economic benefits.
Tasmania’s two major parties are yet to back the project, which will need to pass both houses of parliament later this year in order to go ahead.
Hours after blasting the proposed stadium as a ‘real dud’ and urging the state government to tell the AFL ‘to stick it’, Senator Lambie doubled down on The Project, where she branded the development as ‘an absolute disgrace’ and a ‘bloody disaster’.
She became fired up after comedian Sam Taunton sparked debate by pointing out that the AFL usually use their power to get what they want.
The mention of Hobart’s proposed AFL stadium fired up Jacqui Lambie on Monday night
‘If Tasmania does get a team and a new stadium is built…’ Taunton asked before the senator quickly interjected.
‘Mate, honestly, I have to be honest with you. I don’t give a stuff how powerful they are,’ she said.
‘You’re talking to Jacqui Lambie here and I don’t give a s***!’
The expletive sparked laughter from the panel as the senator continued her rant with a scathing message to the AFL.
‘I don’t care! My job is to get what’s best for the nation and what’s best for the country. That’s my job so I don’t care!’ she fumed.
‘Go and put your big shirts on and come and take Jacqui Lambie on as I’m not leaving until we get a better deal!’
Taunton interrupted: ‘Jacqui, I’m not building the stadium! It’s not me. I need you to know that!’
Senator Lambie was keen to put Taunton in his place.
‘That’s right, get me at the table with them, Big Boy!’ she said.
Taunton later quipped: ‘Thank you for calling me Big Boy!’
The senator replied: ‘Calm down. Put the ego back in the paper bag!’
The senator’s foul-mouthed rant stunned The Project’s Georgie Tunny and Sarah Harris
Panellist Georgie Tunny joked: ‘It’s too much to contain Jacqui! It’s too much!’
Host Sarah Harris weighed in as she wrapped up the segment.
‘Jacqui, you’ve made Sam’s night- and his life!’ she said.
Senator Lambie replied: ‘He wouldn’t be the first one I’ve made blush!’
Afterwards, Taunton was asked by Harris whether he was terrified or turned on.
‘That’s the crossover. Wow!’ he replied.
The fiery segment divided viewers.
‘Jacqui Lambie was too much histrionics. Well done to Sam Taunton for asking proper questions,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Omg! She is so embarrassing.’
But others praised the senator and led calls for her to be the next prime minister.
‘I bloody love that woman,’ another wrote.
Comedian Sam Taunton (pictured) was put in his place by the firebrand senator
The report found the cost of the Macquarie Point stadium would increase by $321 million and had been ‘significantly understated’, while the cost-benefit ratio had been ‘significantly overstated’ at 44 cents in every dollar invested.
‘Tasmania deserves an AFL team and must have it at the right cost but not at any cost,’ Mr Gruen said in the report.
‘Tasmania is not a wealthy state and it must meet substantial social and economic challenges.’
Mr Gruen found the project was already displaying the ‘hallmarks of mismanagement’, saying a state government pledge to deliver it without borrowing more than $375 million ‘cannot be met’.
The construction of the 23,000-seat waterfront stadium is a condition of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL, with the Tasmanian Devils due to join the competition in 2028.
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