Independent Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell has made a surprise switch to the Labor Party.
Tyrrell is the second senator to join Labor in 12 months, swelling the government’s ranks in the Senate to 30. She was elected under the Jacqui Lambie Network banner, but became an independent in 2024 after falling out with the party’s leader.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Tyrrell during a surprise press conference late on Thursday morning.
“Tammy has successfully participated in the Senate and been a good faith negotiator, making a difference for Tasmania as an independent,” Albanese said. “People across Tasmania know her as a fighter.”
Tyrrell said she would make no apologies for joining Labor and confirmed she would run for Labor at the next election.
“It’s a good fit. I have supported Labor very regularly over the last four years, but I’ve also pushed back,” she said.
“I will still do that, but I will do it respectfully and calmly within caucus. I’m very proud to be a Labor girl.”
She told The Conversation last year that it was “amazing being an independent”.
“It means that I can say and do what my community wants me to in their voice without having to agree to broad-sweeping politics or legislative ideas that I don’t agree with fundamentally,” she said.
Asked on Thursday about her opposition to Labor’s landmark teen social media ban, Tyrrell said the move marked a fresh start, but would not say she supported the policy.
“I believe that children should have an education so that they are safer, be it driving a car, learning to swim,” Tyrrell said.
“There are times when I have not agreed in the past, but this is a fresh start moving forward. I’ll do all that I can to make sure that Labor and I do good work.”
Tyrrell is the second senator to switch to the Albanese government following the defection of Dorinda Cox from the Greens in June last year, citing a loss of confidence in the minor party.
Labor remains short of having a majority in the Senate, so must still rely on support from either the opposition, the Greens or crossbench to pass legislation.
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Brittany Busch is a federal politics reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.