Labor’s Ella Haddad lashes return of Eric Abetz as ‘dark day for Tasmanian politics’

Labor says Eric Abetz and his “old-fashioned views” won’t be welcome in state parliament. Why they say it’s a move to the extreme far right.

Former Liberal senator Eric Abetz. Tasmanian Liberal state conference in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Labor Party has described the likely endorsement of Eric Abetz to run at the next state election as “a dark day for Tasmanian politics” and a win for conservatives in the Liberal Party.

Labor’s legal spokeswoman Ella Haddad said Mr Abetz’s strong backing from rank and file members in Franklin was “deeply worrying”.

“Eric Abetz is well known for his outdated, old fashioned views on things like the rights of women, rights of workers, rights of gay, lesbian and transgender Tasmanians and those kinds of views shouldn’t be welcomed into the Tasmanian parliament,” she said.

Labor's Ella Haddad speaks to the media at Parliament Square in Hobart on Monday, January 8, 2024.

“This is a move to the absolute far extreme right for the Liberal Party.

“The numbers in that conservative faction are already stacking up and moving against (Premier) Jeremy Rockliff.

“The conservatives have had enough of his weak leadership and what they see as ‘moderate’ views and are hell bent on taking over the Liberal Party and taking Tasmania back to the 1940s.”

Ms Haddad said if Mr Abetz was elected she was sure “it won’t be long before he has a crack at the party leadership” with the support of other Liberal members in parliament including deputy premier Michael Ferguson and ministers Guy Barnett and Felix Ellis.

Mr Rockliff scoffed as suggestions his leadership was, or would be, under threat.

“Seriously, if this is the best Labor can do they should pack up and go home,” he said.

“Apart from personal attacks, Labor do nothing and stand for nothing.

“My focus is on getting things done and doing what matters for all Tasmanians such as addressing cost of living pressures, keeping people in work and delivering better healthcare and more housing.

“That’s what Tasmanians expect and that’s exactly what I’ll continue to do.”

At a meeting on Thursday rank and file members resoundingly chose Mr Abetz ahead of three other candidates, Kingborough councillor Aldo Antolli, sitting MP Dean Young and government minister Nic Street.

A party member who attended the meeting described it as a “pyrrhic victory” for Mr Abetz.

“Eric played games and while he has admirable qualities he is not a team player,” the member said.

“It is more likely he should be at the bottom not the top.”

Originally published as Labor’s Ella Haddad lashes return of Eric Abetz as ‘dark day for Tasmanian politics’