AREA: 6911 square kilometres. Franklin is an outer metropolitan division, extending from Old Beach in the north to Dover in the south and Seven Mile Beach in the east.
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NUMBER OF ELECTORS ENROLLED: 74,189.
HOW IT STANDS: Labor 2, Liberals 2, Greens 1.
CURRENT MEMBERS IN THE TASMANIAN HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: Lara Giddings (ALP), David O'Byrne (ALP), Will Hodgman (Lib), Jacquie Petrusma (Lib), Nick McKim (Greens).
PREDICTION: Labor 2, Liberals 2, Greens 1.
THE Examiner invited all parties and candidates to write 50 words on their vision for Tasmania and why they should get your vote. Here are the replies received.
SOCIALIST ALLIANCE
JENNY FORWARD:
"I am standing as a candidate for Socialist Alliance as I believe that together we can build an independent and grassroots resistance that places the environment and people before profit. Vote for a progressive alternative by voting for Socialist Alliance and join us in the struggle for a better world."
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
HEATHER CHONG:
Heather is a successful small businesswoman and accountant who was elected to Clarence City Council in 2009. She moved to Tasmania in 1999 to set up Qew Orchards, growing apricots near Richmond in the Coal River Valley.
JULIE DICK:
Julie is standing for Parliament to put regular people and our community first.
Julie has a background and extensive experience in small business, having been an owner- manager of a business for more than 20 years. She is also actively involved with a number of community organisations in Franklin.
LARA GIDDINGS:
Larissa (Lara) Tahireh Giddings was born in Goroka in Papua New Guinea in November 1972. She was first elected to the Tasmanian Parliament in 1996. At the age of 23, she was the youngest woman ever elected to an Australian Parliament.
After losing her House of Assembly seat in the electorate of Lyons in 1998, Lara was re-elected to the seat of Franklin in 2002. In January 2011 Lara became Tasmania's 44th premier, the first female to hold the position.
RUSSELL MITCHELL:
Russell Mitchell was born in Hobart and educated on the mainland. Russell has lived in the Huon Valley since 2007 and works in the security industry. He has spent this time signing members to United Voice and helping workers deal with their complaints. Russell is married and lives in Crabtree.
DAVID O'BYRNE:
David O'Byrne was born in 1969, grew up in Launceston and studied at the University of Adelaide, where he gained a degree in Labour Studies. He moved to Hobart in 1994. At the 2010 state election, David was elected as a member for Franklin. He is currently the Minister for Workplace Relations, Economic Development and Infrastructure, Innovation, Science and Technology and Police and Emergency Management.
LIBERAL PARTY
SUE BASTONE:
I'm passionate about Franklin and helping others. I've worked as a teacher in Indonesia for 17 years, and now run a local small business. I will fight for local jobs and to deliver opportunity to our community. If elected, this will be my priority for Franklin and Tasmania.
PAUL HARRISS:
I've always served our local community in Franklin, first in private industry and for the last 18 years as your local MLC for Huon. I've fought for the forestry industry and local jobs, and I'm committed to ensuring Franklin has a bright future. Tasmania is at a crossroads and we need majority government to bring positive change.
WILL HODGMAN:
"I believe our best days are ahead of us. The Liberal team has developed a long-term plan to help deliver a brighter future for Tasmania. Our plan focuses on growing the economy, tackling the job crisis, fixing the budget mess, and rebuilding essential services in health, education and police."
JACQUIE PETRUSMA:
"As your local Franklin MP I've been fighting hard to deliver for our community. I'm a Franklin local, living on three acres with my husband and children, so Im aware of the challenges our community is facing. Now, more than ever, we need a united team in Parliament to deliver a brighter future for all Tasmanians."
NIC STREET:
"As a small business owner I know the concerns of Franklin locals. Tasmania needs strong, decisive leadership to deliver for our community. I will bring a background in business and local government to Will Hodgman's united team."
TASMANIAN GREENS
RICHARD ATKINSON:
"I am running as a Greens candidate because I care about the future of our state and the lives of the people who live here. As a qualified engineer in telecommunications, I understand the potential of this sector to jobs and the economy in Tasmania."
SIMON BURNETT:
"I grew up in Bellerive and Howrah and joined the Greens after living and travelling overseas. I witnessed for myself the effect on societies of extreme environmental damage and a non- existent social safety net. These are the issues that the Greens are working to protect Australia from."
ZOE KEAN:
"I love this state and I want to help Tasmania become a place where both people and the environment prosper. I care deeply about equality of opportunity for all, and I'm standing for the Greens because they are the party with the most empathetic policies and the best plan for our future."
NICK MCKIM:
Nick McKim is leader of the Tasmanian Greens and MP for Franklin. He is a strong advocate for co-operative politics, and a passionate voice for education, the environment, equality and people doing it tough.
ROSALIE WOODRUFF:
Dr Rosalie Woodruff is a Greens councillor on the Huon Valley Council. Rosalie is an epidemiologist and conducted the first research in Australia and overseas on the health impacts of climate change. She believes that protecting the environment is our best insurance for a safe and prosperous future.
NATIONAL PARTY
MATT HOLLOWAY:
"I want to see a transparent government that takes a practical approach to address issues such as lack of employment, cost of living, young people leaving our state, access to bulk billing for health and dental care, and protecting Tasmania's important public assets from privatisation."
PENNY LANE:
"I will fight to provide teachers with small classroom sizes and support for students with special needs as well as an improved health system; support for the aged care sector and a diverse economy that focuses on small business, a vibrant tourist industry, primary industries and the responsible management of public funds."
MYRTLE WAKELING:
"I will provide a strong voice for those most disadvantaged. There needs to be a genuine approach to the issues of high unemployment, low educational attainment, the provision of essential services and relief for cost of living pressures, particularly for those on low and fixed incomes."
PALMER UNITED PARTY
MICHAEL FIGG:
Michael is a former federal police office and semi-retired businessman who has lived in the Franklin electorate for 30 years. He spends much of his time as a volunteer business mentor, passing on his many years of experience to businesses state-wide.
Michael is also a prominent member of his local community. His many roles have included division governor at Toastmasters in Tasmania, secretary of Sandy Bay Rotary Club and Apexian of the Year.
JOHN PEERS:
A local identity and self- confessed workaholic, John operates a successful business, but has also been an alderman with Clarence City Council for close to 26 years. Hobart-born and bred, John is equally passionate about his community and Tasmania. He says local government, tourism, infrastructure and racing and gaming sit near the top of his policy interests. He would like to see improved roads and increased export opportunities for local businesses.
LUKE RUTHERFORD:
A former sales manager with a masters degree in business administration and now a law student, Luke is a born and bred Tasmanian who is married with one young child. When he isn't studying or spending time with his family he enjoys the arts and the occasional game of golf.
Having previously been a business owner, Luke is passionate about small business and is eager to create an environment that makes it easier for small businesses to grow and create jobs.
CON SPILIOPOULOS:
A born and bred Tasmanian, 43-year-old Con is a former business owner who has wide- ranging experience in the retail sector. He lists small business, energy, the environment, forestry, housing, science transport, water, roads and health as his major areas of interest.
Con was an inaugural member of the organising committee for Hobart's Greek Estia festival. He also helped found a local soccer club, which went on to claim silverware in its first season.
DEBRA THURLEY:
For the past two years Debra has provided contractual executive support to the Upper House of the Tasmanian Parliament.
Debra completed a Graduate Diploma of Employment Relations in 2012 and is nearing completion of a Masters of Employment Relations.
Debra spent 10 years in local government employed by the Clarence City Council in a combination of finance, facilities management and purchasing. During this period Debra gained a Diploma of Business, Diploma of Business Management and Diploma of Human Resources.
To read the candidates' comments in full, visit www.examiner.com.au.