ROSEVEARS independent MLC Kerry Finch has defended his parliamentary record after a Liberal staffer distinguished him from "genuine independents".
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In a conversation on Twitter, Will Hodgman's chief-of- staff Brad Stansfield commented that the party did not usually run candidates against "genuine independents", adding Mr Finch was "not disingenuous. But check his voting record.
"Rarely votes right of left."
Mr Finch said the comments were shocking and unfair.
"Every time I evaluate legislation, I do it on the merits of the legislation," Mr Finch said.
"I don't keep track of whether it's pro-government, anti-government, pro-Liberal, pro-Greens or whatever.
"I refute the suggestion that I am a Labor toady or a Green toady."
Mr Finch supported the forestry deal, same-sex marriage and abortion reform, all of which were voted against by the Liberal Party.
Liberal Party state director Sam McQuestin confirmed former chief-of-staff for Will Hodgman, Don Morris, had been pre-selected to run in the seat.
"Mr Finch's actions as an MLC were not consistent with Liberal policy," Mr McQuestin said.
The Liberal Party is not running against conservative Huon independent MLC Paul Harriss.
It cited a policy of not running against sitting independents as justification for not running against Nelson independent Jim Wilkinson in the May elections.
The other two seats in play, Pembroke and Montgomery, were won by Liberal incumbent Vanessa Goodwin and newcomer Leonie Hiscutt.
Mr Finch said the Legislative Council would not work if it was filled with endorsed party members.
"This is a house of review, it's not a political playground," he said.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Craig Farrell said the Liberal Party was trying to stack the chamber with its endorsed or conservative-voting MLCs.
"The Liberal Party's message to MLCs appears to be that it's OK to be an independent MLC, as long as you vote with the Liberal Party," Mr Farrell said.
Labor and the Greens both run candidates against sitting independents.