Liberals turn to ex-federal politicians for snap poll
Ethan James |
Tasmania’s embattled Liberals are rolling out several former federal politicians for a snap election, including one who announced his resignation 12 months ago.
The island state is heading to the polls on July 19 – its fourth election in seven years – after Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to step down after losing a no-confidence motion.
Mr Rockliff was returned to power in minority at the most-recent March 2024 poll, but lost support of parliament in stunning fashion last week.
The Liberals on Friday revealed their candidate list for the northwest electorate of Braddon, including ex-federal MP Gavin Pearce and former senator Stephen Parry.
Under Tasmania’s Hare-Clark voting system, seven MPs are elected in each of the state’s five electorates.
Mr Pearce held Braddon at federal level for six years from 2019, but announced in June 2024 he would not re-contest the seat.
The seat was taken by Labor with a sizeable swing as Anthony Albanese swept to power in May.
“It’s almost like I read the tea leaves. (But) I did it (left) for the right reasons. The rigours of federal politics weighed on my personal commitments,” Mr Pearce said on Friday.
Mr Pearce said he wanted to “pick up his rifle and stand in the trenches” with Mr Rockliff, who he believed had been white-anted by the no-confidence motion.
Mr Pearce has insisted he has moved on from “professional differences” with former federal Liberal colleague Bridget Archer, who often crossed the floor.
Ms Archer is running for the Liberals at the state poll in the neighbouring seat of Bass.
The two major parties face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority.
The Liberals hold 14 seats, Labor 10, the Greens five, independents five and the Jacqui Lambie Network one.
Mr Rockliff, one of the three incumbent Liberals in Braddon, brushed off concerns the electorate’s federal swing towards Labor would be replicated at state level.
“We have the best-possible team we have ever had in Braddon,” Mr Rockliff said.
On the second day of official campaigning, Labor announced it would ensure two new Bass Strait ferries currently in Europe would be brought to Tasmania by Christmas.
The Spirit of Tasmania replacement ships won’t be in service until late 2026, years behind schedule, because a berth hasn’t been built.
One of the vessels is sitting in Scotland, while the other is undergoing sea trials in Finland.
“The Rockliff minority government has made a mess of the Spirits project – but Labor is ready to clean it up,” Labor leader Dean Winter said.
Mr Winter said he wanted more of the ships’ final fit-out to occur in Tasmania and that they would be safer in the state.
AAP
