George Town mayor Bridget Archer says she intends to run for preselection for the Liberal candidate for Bass.
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“After a lot of consideration I’ve decided to express an interest in nominating for preselection,” Cr Archer said.
Though Cr Archer was occupied with local council elections not one month ago, she considers running for preselection to be the right move.
“There's been a significant amount of interest and speculation in the last couple of weeks about whether or not I might consider standing,” Cr Archer said.
“I've been really focussed on the local government elections and I'm really committed to the future of the George Town area. It's very new - I think we don't know when a federal election will be called but we know that it will be some time in the next six months.”
Though the timing of preselection nominations were out of Cr Archer’s control, she believes standing will be of benefit to her region’s issues.
“I believe that it would enhance my advocacy for my region rather than to detract from it, and on that basis I’ve decided to put myself forward,” she said.
Cr Archer was recently re-elected as mayor of George Town, after serving as it’s incumbent the previous four years. She has also had heavy involvement with the Liberal Party at a state level for Bass.
When asked what impact the preselection campaign will have on her mayoral responsibilities, Cr Archer said there would be no conflict.
“I have a strong connection to this area and to this region, and whilst my work in recent years has been concentrated within the George Town region municipality, I see George Town within the wider context of that northern region,” she said.
“I don't think that advocating for the whole of Bass is in conflict with that.”
Cr Archer has yet to discuss policy priorities and what she believes the Liberals need to unseat Ross Hart in Bass.
“I think at this stage it's very early days, the preselection will be a matter for the party to determine and I'm focussed on that process at this stage and then we'll go from there,” she said.
The Liberal Party has only recently called for expressions of interest for preselection nominees, no other candidates have come forward.
“I'm confident that the membership will choose who they believe is the most appropriate person to contest the seat,” Cr Archer said.
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