Labor has claimed a sweeping victory across Tasmania in the federal election, with four female candidates now set to represent the state in Canberra under the re-elected Albanese government.
Former state Labor leader Rebecca White secured the marginal seat of Lyons in a major personal win, having stepped down from state politics to run federally.
“I’m so thrilled to be standing before you with such strong support across the electorate of Lyons to help send me to Canberra to fight for us,” White told reporters in Bridgewater on Sunday.
“I’m so excited to be able to take what I’ve learnt from speaking to thousands of people from across the electorate to Canberra to make sure that we deliver on the commitments that we took to this election.”
Labor now holds four out of Tasmania’s five federal seats. Julie Collins was re-elected in Franklin with a boosted primary vote, while the party also claimed Bass and Braddon.
“Yesterday and last night, what we saw was the people of Tasmania and the people of Australia have sent a message,” Collins said.
“Clearly, the big issues this election have been around cost of living and healthcare.”
Both White and Collins credited Labor’s strong focus on Medicare, affordable housing and local candidates with deep community ties for the result.
They also pointed to a clear voter rejection of Peter Dutton.
“People supported our plan for investing in Medicare, for investing in housing, for investing in jobs and secure employment, investing in education,” White said.
“The second thing I felt very strongly was a strong dislike of Peter Dutton and his policies. He wasn’t seen to have a plan for Tasmania.”
Collins was blunt in her assessment. “I don’t think Peter Dutton really gets Tasmania,” she said.
White also suggested the state Liberal government, led by Jeremy Rockliff, played a role in Labor’s federal success.
“People felt that the state Liberal government was not performing very well and was letting people down,” White said.
“They pointed to the Spirit of Tasmania debacle and how concerned they were that this government really has lost its way in Tasmania.”
Asked whether she was eyeing a ministerial role, White stayed focused on the immediate job at hand.
“My first task was to get elected and it looks like that’s been achieved. My next task is to make sure we deliver on the commitments we took to this election and to ensure that I support the team the best way possible,” she said.
“I’ll do whatever the Prime Minister asks of me. He’s shown incredible support to me over a number of years now.”
“I have extraordinary faith in him and I see him work incredibly hard on our behalf every single day and if I can play a role in delivering on Labor’s agenda for our country, I’d be happy to.”
