One Nation will sit out Tasmania’s snap state election next month, but hasn’t ruled out running candidates in the future.
Federal Senate candidate Lee Hanson confirmed on Thursday that the party is not registered to run in state elections and would not have enough time to complete the process ahead of election day on July 19.
“Getting our party registered in time for the state election is not a realistic prospect, although we have begun the process for future elections,” she said.
“We don’t want to give Tasmanians a half-baked campaign. We respect them better than that. If only Labor and the Liberals could show Tasmanian voters some respect too.”
Hanson, the daughter of One Nation leader Pauline, used the announcement to criticise both major parties, particularly over their shared support for the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point.
“While the major parties, both of which support a new Hobart stadium, play their little games with Tasmanian voters we’ve decided not to take part,” she said.
“As if Labor is going to manage finances around the stadium any better than the Liberals with their addiction to profligate spending of Tasmanian taxpayers’ money.”
Hanson also questioned the timing of the election, describing it as a “farce” given it comes just 16 months after the last state poll.
The snap election was called after Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion put forward by Labor leader Dean Winter earlier this month.
Despite receiving support to contest the election, Hanson said the party would focus on building momentum from its federal campaign performance.
“While I’ve been very appreciative of local support for me and our party to contest the state election, our focus is on building on our increased vote at the federal poll and establishing a strong base for the 2028 federal election and future state elections as well,” she said.
“We want to give Tasmanians a much stronger voice in Canberra and that has always been our priority.”
Hanson, who has lived in Tasmania for 13 years, ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in May, finishing behind north-west Senator Jacqui Lambie.
