Clark Recount: Simon Behrakis will replace Elise Archer in the seat of Clark

Hobart City alderman Simon Behrakis will replace Elise Archer in the seat of Clark. UPDATED.

Minister Elise Archer. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hobart City alderman Simon Behrakis has been elected to replace Elise Archer in the seat of Clark.

Mr Behrakis, who ran for the Liberal Party in 2021, secured 55.2 per cent of the vote, winning the seat over his former Hobart City Council colleague, Will Coats.

“It’s an honour to be elected as the new member for Clark in today’s recount,” Mr Behrakis said in a statement.

“I love this state, and it is humbling to be given the responsibility to represent the people of Clark in our state’s parliament.

New Member for Clark, Simon Behrakis. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Behrakis said he hoped to focus on issues he was vocal about during his time on council.

“I am excited to hit the ground running to deliver what matters for the people of Clark, particularly on the issues which I have already been advocating for during my time as an Alderman for the City of Hobart,” he said.

“This includes building our state’s infrastructure to increase housing supply and reducing traffic congestion so that all Tasmanians, even our most vulnerable, can live, work and get around our state.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff congratulated Mr Behrakis on his win.

“Having campaigned alongside Simon at the last two elections, I know he is a fierce advocate for Tasmania, particularly for the Clark electorate,” he said.

“Simon has represented the local community as Alderman in the Hobart City Council for the past five years and is well across the issues that matter to Tasmanians.

“I am confident that Simon will hit the ground running and be a strong voice for the people of Clark.”

The recount for the seat of Clark was triggered by the resignation of Elise Archer earlier this month, following allegations of bullying.

Mr Behrakis was one of 12 candidates who nominated for the recount.

Mr Behrakis’ promotion to parliament means a recount will need to be conducted to fill his seat on council.

Simon Behrakis poised to claim Clark seat

October 23, 4:20pm

Simon Behrakis is poised to claim the vacant seat in Clark, left by Elise Archer, after claiming more than 40 per cent of the initial count, but a win likely will not be confirmed today.

Counting has been underway since noon, and so far only one of the 12 candidates has been excluded.

Mr Behrakis, who is a Liberal candidate, received 4387 of Ms Archer’s votes (41.4 per cent).

He’s followed by his former Hobart City Council colleague Will Coats, who ran as a Liberal in 2021 (2713 votes) and Hobart City Mission CEO Harvey Lennon (2442 votes), also Liberal.

Jax Ewin was the first to drop off the list of contenders, after receiving nine votes. Their votes will be distributed based on preferences, before the next lowest, Greens candidate Bec Taylor is excluded.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission will likely be unable to confirm an outcome today, and may need to resume counting tomorrow.

“As it is likely that up to ten exclusions will need to occur, an outcome is not expected tonight,” a TEC spokesperson said.

Nominations revealed: Who is contesting the seat of Clark

October 23, 1:10pm

Counting is underway to determine who will replace former member for Clark, Elise Archer is parliament, and there are 12 candidates vying to fill her shoes.

Here’s who is hoping to be elected:

Liberal Party: Simon Behrakis, Will Coats, Harvey Lennon

Independents: Sue Hickey, Mike Dutta and Jax Ewin

Labor Party: Deb Carnes, Simon Davis and Sam Mitchell

Greens: Bec Taylor

Animal Justice Party: Tim Westcott

Shooters, Fishers, Farmers TAS: Lorraine Bennett

Labor Leader says new member will cause “headaches” for Premier

October 23, 1:10pm

As the count continues to fill the vacant seat left by Elise Archer, Labor has already taken a swipe at the candidate likely to fill the seat.

Tasmanian parliament, Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Chris Kidd

Simon Behrakis is expected to be elected to the Clark seat, something Labor leader Rebecca White says could cause headaches for the Premier.

“I do also believe that whoever joins (Premier) Jeremy Rockliff’s cabinet is not going to ease his burdens,” Ms White said on Monday.

“It’s very likely, the new member joining Jeremy Rockliff will be a hard right wing conservative in Simon Behrakis, who is a former Eric Abetz staffer and a former staffer for the deputy premier, Michael Ferguson.”

Hobart City Council Alderman Simon Behrakis. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms White said Mr Rockliff needed stability.

“The introduction of a new member like Simon Behrakis just springs more headaches for Jeremy Rockliff at a time he’s already got quite a few,” she said.

“It does nothing to sure up the support in the party room for Jeremy Rockliff and I think we can all see he’s starting to feel the impact of that.”

Liberal Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie said she was excited to work with Mr Behrakis, should he be elected.

“Simon’s fantastic, I’ve known Simon for a very long time, he’s got a lot of energy … we work very very well together,” she said.

“It’s time for us to have a really clear vision for Clark, it’s something I’ll be working with that new member on.”

Clark Recount: Counting to begin for new member for Clark

October 23, 11:26am

Tasmanians will soon learn who will replace Elise Archer as member for Clark, after she resigned earlier this month amid allegations of bullying.

Ms Archer quit parliament after messages from a WhatsApp chat were leaked where Ms Archer said “Turn comment off please. Sick of victim survivors.”

It followed allegations she’d bullied staff and sent messages demeaning her parliamentary colleagues.

After she was ousted from the Liberal Party, Ms Archer considered staying on in parliament, but ultimately chose to resign after receiving an ultimatum from Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

Weeks on from the decision, a recount is expected to begin today to decide her replacement.

Candidates who ran in the state election in 2021 for the seat of Clark can nominate for the recount.

The position will likely be claimed by Hobart City Council alderman Simon Behrakis, who ran for the Liberals.

Nominations for the recount close at noon and counting will begin shortly after.

Originally published as Clark Recount: Simon Behrakis will replace Elise Archer in the seat of Clark