The Tasmanian Liberal Party is embroiled in fresh controversy after one of its Legislative Council members allegedly broke party rules.
Outgoing Leader of Government Business Leonie Hiscutt is facing calls to resign after publicly endorsing her son, Casey Hiscutt, in his independent bid to replace her in the upcoming May election.
Ms Hiscutt has represented the north-west coast seat of Montgomery for 12 years and will retire in the coming months. The Liberals have picked former senator Stephen Parry to replace her.
In a series of posts on her official MLC Facebook page, Ms Hiscutt tagged her son and shared photos of him wearing his campaign shirt.
Mr Hiscutt has also acknowledged attending events on his mother’s behalf, sharing updates on his own social media accounts.
Party rules stipulate that members who actively support non-endorsed candidates face automatic expulsion, with re-admittance requiring State Executive approval.
The controversy is similar to that involving Clarence Mayor and former party member Brendan Blomeley, who was expelled after speculating publicly about running as an independent in the state election.
Blomeley said the situation was “hypocrisy of the Tasmanian Liberal Party writ large” and demanded Hiscutt’s immediate resignation.
“This highlights the weak and hapless leader that is Jeremy Rockliff and underscores all that is wrong with the leadership of the Tasmanian Liberals,” he said.
“The double standards, the lack of professionalism and any semblance of credible leadership is beyond concerning.”
“Our state deserves so much better than what we’re getting as a result of the weak and pathetic Jeremy Rockliff.”
Labor MP Josh Willie also called on Premier Rockliff to act decisively and remove Ms Hiscutt from her role.
“It’s extraordinary that Premier Rockliff is allowing Leonie Hiscutt, a member of his government, a member of the Liberal Party and leader of government business in the Upper House no less, to actively campaign against the Liberal Party,” he said.
“This is destabilising for the government and it demonstrates weak leadership on Premier Rockliff’s behalf.”
Minister Roger Jaensch dismissed Labor’s criticisms, accusing them of “running this distraction” on a matter of Liberal Party internal management.
“We’ve got a member of parliament who’s announced her intention to not stand again at the next legislative council election and she’s supporting her son, who’s putting his hand up, to be voted in by the members of his community,” he said.
“She’s got a right to do that. I think mums everywhere would understand that.”
The Hiscutt’s and the Liberal Party are yet to comment on the matter.
