She, and City of Launceston Alderman Simon Wood, were officially announced as candidates for the state election on Thursday if they are preselected by party members. 

On Wednesday The Examiner reported that the pair of council identities were being considered for the Bass ticket.

“I have had eight years in local government now and my passion for local government comes from my desire to improve the area in which I live, I have a strong passion that the benefits for George Town in this instance are best served by a strong region and a strong state,” she said.

Alderman Wood said some of his key focuses come from his business and retail background. 

“I would be very keen to keep the momentum up in terms of cutting red tape and making it cheaper and easier for small business to do business in the region of Bass,” he said.

Liberal Party of Australia Tasmanian Division state director Sam McQuestin said formal preselection for Bass would occur on Friday night, with preselection in the remaining seats to be held over coming weeks.

“Our Bass ticket is already very strong with Treasurer Peter Gutwein, Health Minister Michael Ferguson and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Sarah Courtney, and will be further enhanced with these two additions,” he said.

“Given the strength of our team, and the low profile of the Labor and Green members and candidates, we are very confident of retaining our three seats in Bass.”

Greens MHA Andrew Dawkins said she was not worried about losing her seat.

“I have lived in this community almost all of my life and run a very successful business. I’m locally grown and I love this place, which is why I ran for council and state parliament as a Green,” she said.

“It’s a shame, but perhaps not a surprise, that Mr McQuestin has resorted to petty comments about his political opponents.”

Incumbent Labor member Michelle O’Byrne said the Liberals would struggle with to maintain their three seats. 

“We are very confident that our team, who have been out on the ground for months now, have already made substantial ground in preparing their conversations and engagements with the community,” she said.