PALMER United Party boss Clive Palmer and Tasmanian senator-elect Jacqui Lambie say they are prepared to go to jail as political prisoners over alleged breaches of the Tasmanian Electoral Act.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission is investigating three possible breaches relating to a Liberal Party ad attacking PUP, a PUP advertisement and a letter from Mr Palmer distributed to Tasmanian letterboxes.
All three alleged breaches relate to using a candidate's name or photo without their consent and carry a fine of up to $39,000 and a year in jail time.
Mr Palmer, who repeatedly mispronounced the Premier's name as Laura during a press conference yesterday, questioned why he should not be able to refer to Lara Giddings and the other leaders of the major parties in ads.
He said he had received advice that the law was designed to prevent how-to-vote cards, which are banned in Tasmanian elections.
``I'm happy to go to jail, I'm happy to be like Ghandi,'' Mr Palmer said.
``Are these the real issues, whether you take someone's photos or you refer to the name that they were christened as babies, is that the most important issue in Tasmania? I don't think it is.''
Ms Lambie, who authorised the ads featuring photos of Ms Giddings, Liberal leader Will Hodgman and Greens leader Nick McKim, yesterday claimed the Liberal Party complaint was an attempt to silence her.
``But given the fact that Tony Abbott and the Liberals have a track record of trying to put their political opponents in jail _ I shouldn't be that surprised,'' Ms Lambie said.
She denied she approved the advertisement before publication.
``If I've done anything wrong I'll cop it sweet. I'll become another political prisoner, however, I welcome the chance to clear my name and find out the answers to a few important questions,'' Ms Lambie said.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission investigation will not be completed before the election on Saturday.
