The Nationals will run in Tasmanian electorates at the next federal election if they find suitable candidates, Nationals Senator Steve Martin said on Saturday.
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He was speaking at the Nationals state conference at the Peppers Silo Hotel, where the party formed their first Tasmanian branch in the party’s history.
The Nationals currently have a political presence of one in the state in the form of Mr Martin, who joined to the party after being ejected from the Jacqui Lambie Network.
However, he said they are planning on expanding their presence in the state, and are currently searching for potential Tasmanians to run at the next election.
“We are creating history with the first-ever Tasmanian branch of the National Party,” he said.
“It’s a foothold, and we’re now attracting and encouraging people to come forward to join the Nationals, to represent rural and regional Tasmania, and to perhaps even run as candidates in an electorate in Tasmania.”
About 30 people attended the opening address of the conference, including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion, Deputy Leader of the Nationals Bridget McKenzie, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion.
The federal election will be called sometime before November 2 2019.
Tasmania’s lower house members are four Labor MPs - Ross Hart in Bass, Julie Collins in Franklin, Justine Keay in Braddon, and Brian Mitchell in Lyons – and independent Andrew Wilkie in Denison.
There are also 12 Tasmanian senators, of which one is Mr Martin.
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Frances Vinall
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
