HIGH-ranking defence force officer Brigadier Andrew Nikolic has confirmed that he is interested in running as the Liberal Party's candidate for the seat of Bass at the next federal election. Over the weekend the Liberal Party advertised for expressions of interest from people seeking pre- selection for Tasmania's five federal seats. Brig. Nikolic, who has served as a United Nations military observer in Israel, Syria and South Lebanon, as well as working as the first Australian National Command Representative in Southern Iraq, has told The Examiner that he is contemplating seeking preselection. "I'm a member of the Tasmania division of the Liberal Party, and I feel I could be a strong and effective candidate for preselection and a strong advocate for Northern Tasmania," he said. Members of the Liberal Party have described Brig. Nikolic as an excellent candidate for Bass who could have the potential to hold either the Defence or Foreign Affairs ministries in any future federal Liberal government. Brig. Nikolic said that if he gained the support of party preselectors, he would have to stand down before contesting the next federal election. He said he had strong family ties to the Launceston area, and after 31 years in the military he and wife Christine still felt the city was their home. "As far as we've been able to have somewhere to consider home in 24 years of marriage and over 20 moves, Launceston is our home," he said.