Northern Tasmanian Liberal MP Michael Ferguson has ruled out a run for the Senate, saying he can do more for his community by staying in state parliament.
The former deputy premier confirmed his decision earlier this month, ending weeks of speculation he would nominate for federal preselection.
Ferguson said he had thought hard about the move and talked it through with his wife Julie, his family and people whose judgement he valued.
“I’m grateful for the encouragement and confidence so many people have shown in me,” he said. “Julie especially, she’s my rock.”
But after “careful consideration and a lot of prayer”, he decided not to go ahead.
“This isn’t about political calculations or the next step in my career,” he said.
“It’s about where I believe I should make the biggest difference and the strongest contribution for my people.”
The Senate spot opened after Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam announced last month he would quit politics by the end of the year to spend more time with his family.
Sitting senator Wendy Askew has also confirmed she will not seek re-election, leaving the party to refresh its Senate line-up.
Ferguson said northern Tasmania was at an important point and pointed to local issues he wanted to keep working on, including uncertainty over Boags brewery, cost-of-living pressures and major projects such as a new conference centre.
He also said he had “unfinished business to protect our families from the insidiousness of gambling harm”, a cause he championed as treasurer.
“I’ve always said that public office can’t be just chasing titles or positions,” he said.
“It’s about service, delivering outcomes and at times going down fighting when bad decisions are made.”
Ferguson has represented Bass in state parliament since 2010 and previously served as the federal member for Bass from 2004 to 2007.
He held senior portfolios including health, infrastructure and treasury and was deputy premier from 2022 until he resigned from cabinet in October 2024.
Ferguson wished other nominees well, saying there were “some wonderful, talented Liberals in the mix”.
The preselection field includes former Liberal staffer Brad Stansfield, who launched his bid last month.
Jacki Martin has also confirmed her nomination, saying that if she earned the party’s confidence she would bring “energy, discipline and relentless determination”.
