Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco has responded to the resignation of two senior party executives, who stood down after his decision to back the Macquarie Point stadium despite campaigning against it.
Adrian Pickin, the party’s chair for nine years and vice-chair Michal Frydrych both stepped down in recent weeks, citing deep concerns about what they described as Di Falco’s broken election promise.
Speaking in parliament before the stadium vote earlier this month, Di Falco said conversations with community members who supported the project – including people stopping him in the supermarket – had changed his mind.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Di Falco described the departures as part of normal political disagreement.
“A few weeks ago, two members of our committee resigned sighting a difference in policy and election commitments,” he said.
“Democracies are about challenging ideas and robust discussions. We should not be afraid to debate respectfully and sometimes agree to disagree.”
Pickin had said the party needed to honour its commitments to voters, while Frydrych said the issue went further than policy differences.
Di Falco’s statement did not mention the stadium. Instead, he emphasised his commitment to regional Tasmania, including healthcare, farming and fishing.
“I will not always get it right,” he said. “There isn’t a blueprint on being a politician. They don’t hand you a magic wand when you are elected.”
The statement also included backing from acting chair Wayne Turale.
“Carlo has the full support of the party,” Turale said. “We are behind him 100%.”
“Our executive is now full with two new experienced and respected members of the community.”
“It is an exciting time at SFF, our membership is growing and we endeavour to grow our seats in parliament to solidify our position as the fourth party in Tasmania”.
The resignations follow the earlier departure of former secretary Phillip Bigg, who left to run as an independent.
Di Falco became Tasmania’s first SFF MP in July, winning the seventh seat in Lyons.
