<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/jacqui-lambie" rel="" target="_blank" title="Jacqui Lambie"><span>Jacqui Lambie</span></a><span> senator Tammy Tyrrell has defected to Labor after two years serving as an independent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="_blank" title="Prime Minister Anthony Albanese"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese</span></a><span> announced that the Tasmanian senator will officially make the switch to his government today, a change of allegiance that will bring Labor's numbers in the Senate to 40.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tyrrell bluntly told reporters that she is proud to join the major party and would not "apologise to anybody" for making the switch.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXCLUSIVE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-prisons-family-members-complain-of-repeated-physical-and-online-visit-cancellations/81867e3d-0117-4937-b3d5-4706b2102074" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Can't sleep, can't eat': Families say they are blocked from NSW prisons"><strong><span>'Can't sleep, can't eat': Families say they are blocked from NSW prisons</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXCLUSIVE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/british-expat-why-she-moved-back-to-australia-after-returning-to-england/75109d3d-f00d-416b-bbd3-fdae6d0ca001" target="_blank" title="Expat Annie decided to move back to the UK. She lasted just six months"><strong><span>Expat Annie decided to move back to the UK. She lasted just six months</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As a senator for Tasmania, I want to have a seat at the table where I can make the most change and bring back the good stuff to Tasmania," Tyrrell said during a press conference in Canberra.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm not going to apologise to anybody for joining Labor."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/tasmanian-independent-tammy-tyrrell-joins-labor-party/28af59d7-cae4-4761-b6b9-0110f0ce1050" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When asked if her decision would come as a disappointment to her voters, Tyrrell said she refused to be "judged" by the media for flip-flopping on what party she represents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She served as a senator in the Jacqui Lambie Network from 2022 until 2024, before resigning to sit as an independent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tyrrell said she had been courted by members of Labor for the past two years and added that while has regularly supported the party, she will still "push back" when necessary for her Tasmanian constituents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I will still do that but I will do it respectfully and calmly within caucus," she added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm very proud to be a Labor girl."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese described his party's newest member as a senator who "never gives up on people".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"People across Tasmania know her as a fighter," the PM said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"She is someone who doesn't mince her words, she stands up for people, and now she will bring that advocacy into the Labor party as a member of the Labor caucus."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>