Tammy Tyrrell Explained

Honorific Prefix:Senator
Tammy Tyrell
Office:Senator for Tasmania
Term Start:1 July 2022
Party:Independent (since 2024)
Otherparty:Jacqui Lambie Network (until 2024)
Predecessor:Eric Abetz
Birth Date:1970 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Ulverstone, Tasmania

Tammy Tyrrell (born 1 August 1970) is an Australian politician, currently a senator in the Australian Federal Parliament representing Tasmania. She ran in the 2022 federal election to represent Tasmania in the Senate, and was elected to fill the sixth vacancy.[1] Her 6-year term started on 1 July 2022.[2]

Career

Tyrell has had a varied work history, from working at a petrol station to a farm, as well as working as an employment training adviser for a job agency.[3]

From 2014 to 2022, she worked as a staff member for Senator Jacqui Lambie.[4]

Senate

Tyrell was elected to the Federal Senate. Early in her senate term, she advocated for more affordable homes for Tasmania,[5] spoke against an $18 million dollar personal grant for the Governor-General,[6] helped retain the Australian Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants program,[7] and advocated for a review into aged care facilities in Tasmania.[8]

Childcare

Tyrrell has spoken in the Senate on early childhood education and care. During July 2024 and August 2024 she has been campaigning to keep small childhood day care facilities open and has called upon both federal and state governments to sort iron out regulation loophole.[9]

Freight costs

On 21 August, 2024, Tyrrell was asked to chair one of the Australian Senate committees, heading an enquiry into the effectiveness of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.[10]

Supermarket pricing

Tyrell was appointed to the Select Committee on Supermarket Prices in December 2023. This committee looked at price gouging practices. Tyrell pointed out that in Tasmania, there is even less competition and called for retailers such as Aldi to be incentivised to come to the island.[11]

Election History

She was selected as the lead candidate on the Jacqui Lambie Network's Senate ticket for the 2022 federal election, and won election, defeating incumbent senator Eric Abetz.[12] On 28 March 2024, Tyrrell announced she would resign from the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) to sit as an independent, saying that Lambie was "not happy" with the way she was representing the party.[13]

Tammy Tyrrell for Tasmania

Tammy Tyrrell for Tasmania
Country:Australia
Abbreviation:TT
Colorcode:
  1. 4D2A9A
Leader:Tammy Tyrrell
Foundation:24 September 2024

On 24 September 2024, Tyrrell applied to register a party named "Tammy Tyrrell for Tasmania".[14] Under the Australian Senate electoral system, only registered political parties are able to have a name and logo appear above the line on the ballot paper. This greatly increases candidates' chances of winning.[15]

Notes and References

  1. . Tasmanian Senators have been decided . Australian Electoral Commission . 2022-06-16 . 2022-06-16.
  2. 300639. Senator Tammy Tyrrell. 2023-01-23.
  3. Web site: Who is Tasmania's likely new senator, Tammy Tyrrell? . Bovill . Monte . 30 May 2022 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 16 June 2022.
  4. Commonwealth of Australia . Senate . September 6, 2022 . Tammy Tyrrell . FIRST SPEECH - Tyrrell, Senator Tammy .
  5. Web site: 4 May 2023 . Tasmania's Tammy Tyrrell struck deal for 1200 homes built in state . The Advocate News.
  6. Web site: 8 Sep 2023 . Albanese dumps $18 million grant to GG-backed leadership program . Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. Web site: 10 Oct 2022 . TYRRELL CALLS ON GOVERNMENT NOT TO KEEP WINE MAKERS IN LIMBO . Tasmanian Times.
  8. Web site: 7 Feb 2023 . Senator Tammy Tyrell calls for audit on all Tasmanian aged care facilities . The Examiner.
  9. Web site: Little known childcare rule could put two private centres at closure risk. The Advocate . 17 Aug 2024.
  10. Web site: Senator Tammy Tyrrell will lead a Senate inquiry into the effectiveness of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme . Hobart Mercury . 21 Aug 2024.
  11. Web site: Supermarket inquiry lays out plan for pricing crackdown . Sydney Morning Herald . 7 May 2024.
  12. Web site: Tammy Tyrrell for Senate . 16 June 2022 . Tammy Tyrrell for Senate . Jacqui Lambie Network.
  13. Web site: 28 March 2024 . Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell resigns from Jacqui Lambie Network, will sit on crossbench as independent . ABC News.
  14. Web site: Notice of application for registration as a political party. Australian Electoral Commission. Canberra. 24 September 2024. 4 October 2024.
  15. Web site: Why does David have a party if he's an independent?. David Pocock. Canberra.