The National Party is plotting a return to Tasmanian politics after years on the sidelines, sensing an opening in the state’s latest wave of political turmoil.
With Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s government on shaky ground following last week’s no-confidence vote, the National Party of Australia – Tasmania held a strategy meeting in Longford to map out its state election campaign.
Party spokesperson Carl Cooper, a farmer and pharmacist from the state’s north, said the Nationals were looking at running candidates in potentially every seat, following a multi-year hiatus.
“We’re currently considering our options. We’re not going to announce those yet, but, obviously, we have our natural allegiances with the rural parts of Tasmania,” he told the Country Hour.
“We’re here to support Tasmanians, so we will work a system out that works and, obviously, we’re interested in supporting good candidates that basically can help us to improve the place.”
Former Liberal MP John Tucker, who left the party in 2023, told 7 Tasmania he is now seeking National Party preselection.
“My community has supported my family for generations and we miss out greatly up here and that’s why I’m putting my hand back up again,” Tucker said.
“Everything seems to be very Hobart centric and that is a big part of the problem.”
Tasmanian Nationals State Secretary Christine Ferguson said the party plans to campaign on “pro-Tasmanian policies” aimed at boosting key industries.
She said the party is against the Macquarie Point stadium, but backs the Tasmania Devils AFL team.
“We have a positive plan for Tasmania and voters are very disillusioned by the behaviour of the major parties at the moment,” Ferguson said.
The party was officially registered with the Tasmanian Electoral Commission earlier this year and has the backing of Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Nationals’ leader in the senate.
