Tasmania’s Liberal hierarchy is keen to parachute a woman into the Senate to replace David Bushby, but there is no certainty it will get its wish.
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The Liberals have been criticised for their lack of female federal representation in Tasmania.
“The Liberal Party will, over the next few weeks select a replacement for Senator Bushby by way of a vote of the party’s democratically elected Senate selectors,” Liberal Tasmanian president Geoff Page said after news of Launceston-based Senator Bushby’s retirement emerged on Friday.
““I am confident that the Senate preselectors will give very strong consideration to one of the excellent female candidates who are likely to put their names forward.”
Names being mentioned include Hobart Councillor Tanya Denison, former Young Liberals president Claire Chandler, Devonport businesswoman Stacey Sheehan and former Liberal senior vice-president Wendy Summers, who is Senator Bushby’s sister.
Ms Denison, who was chosen third on the party’s Senate ticket for the election, said it was “early days yet” when asked if she would seek, instead, to replace Senator Bushby.
“I’m currently on the Senate ticket, so I’m obviously very interested.”
Third on the Liberal ticket would be a chance, but not a certainty, of being elected.
Ms Chandler, who is second on the ticket, is guaranteed to be elected, so there would appear to be little logic in her looking to replace Senator Bushby.
Ms Sheehan had no comment.
She was beaten out for the Liberals’ Braddon preselection by businessman and farmer Gavin Pearce.
There was strong support for Ms Sheehan among the party hierarchy, but preselectors went in a different direction and chose Mr Pearce.
Likewise, there would be no certainty of a female candidate being chosen to replace Senator Bushby, who is set to become Australia’s consul-general in Chicago.
Liberal state director Sam McQuestin said there was no certainty a female would be chosen.
“Geoff has been quite clear for some time he would like to see our gender representation improve,” Mr McQuestin said.
”It will be a fully democratic process, so it will be up to the members to pick the best possible person.”
Senator Bushby will retire from the Senate on Monday.
His replacement is expected to be chosen by early February.
Mr Page said: “David’s advocacy as part of the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team has delivered too many things to list fully, but includes the major investment in the Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme, the retention and extension of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme and, of course, the record investment in health, including the funding for the Mersey Hospital.”
Greens Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim said: “David Bushby’s sudden resignation from the Senate and appointment as consul-general in Chicago is an outrageous case of jobs for the boys.”
”After a Senate career notable only for its mediocrity, Mr Bushby has now been appointed to a cushy overseas position with no one else getting a look in.”
Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins also said it was jobs for the boys.
“Is this the reward for tearing down the former PM?” Ms Collins said.
“Senator Bushby was one of the first Liberal MPs to sign the petition to bring down Malcolm Turnbull.
“It says something about the Coalition’s priorities that their focus is appointing mates to diplomatic and government jobs ahead of the election.”