Liberal leader Peter Dutton has backed Susie Bower to win the seat of Lyons in the upcoming federal election, despite the presence of a “celebrity” candidate on the ballot paper.
Speaking in Sorell on Sunday, Dutton described Bower as a “great advocate” for the electorate, currently held by Labor MP Brian Mitchell.
Mitchell is retiring at the next election to make way for former Tasmanian Labor leader and current state MP Rebecca White.
“I know that there’s always a bit of hype around celebrity candidates, but in the end you want somebody who can deliver,” Dutton said.
“And if you look at the Labor candidate here, yes, there’s a celebrity factor, but never delivered anything for the local community.”
He said Bower was “ultimately” running against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“If we win the seat of Lyons, we get rid of Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister,” he said.
Speaking during the last sitting of Parliament in November, White said what happens next will be determined by the electorate.
“I am determined to work as hard as I possibly can to win the federal seat of Lyons at the upcoming election so I can take my experience and the skills and the relationships I have developed to be a strong voice for our community in Canberra,” she said.
“This campaign will be won by the margin of our effort.”
“As we have demonstrated time and again, when we work together, when we work hard, when we listen to what our community wants and strive to represent them well, then we give every reason for our community to put their trust in us.”
The Greens have announced Bob Brown foundation campaigner Alistair Allan as their candidate for Lyons.
