Political dark arts operator John Macgowan to run for Tasmanian parliament

Why the political ‘dark arts’ operator best known for his ties to Bruce Lehrmann wants to turn Tasmania into the “cannabis cultivation capital” of Australia.

John Macgowan (Macgowan) is set to run as an independent in the seat of Clark at the 2025 Tasmanian state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A notorious political consultant who rose to infamy for his role as a media minder to Bruce Lehrmann says he will run for parliament, declaring he will run as an independent candidate in Tasmania’s snap election next month.

John Macgowan, who boasts of helping clients “solve (and cause) weird problems,” said he has been motivated to run for elected office due to a “competency crisis across both major parties”.

A former Liberal staffer turned consultant, Mr Macgowan became infamous in NSW political circles for his work in the party’s so-called “dirt unit,” tasked with finding damaging material on political opponents.

As part of his campaign platform, Mr Macgowan said he wants to turn Tasmania into the “cannabis cultivation capital” of Australia, while wanting “to be allowed to be left alone by the government”.

Mr Macgowan has been a magnet for controversy, having played a central role in Mr Lehrmann’s abandoned rape trial and subsequent defamation proceedings.

John Macgowan is set to run as an independent in the seat of Clark at the 2025 Tasmanian state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

That involvement led to Mr Macgowan being raided by the National Anti-Corruption Commission last year, as part of an ongoing investigation.

Mr Macgowan previously told news.com.au that the raid was part of an “insane conspiracy theory”.

Mr Macgowan acted as Mr Lehrmann’s media minder, helping broker an exclusive interview with Channel 7’s Spotlight program.

Mr Macgowan was present during multiple meetings between Mr Lehrmann and former Channel 7 producer Taylor Auerbach, including at Chophouse restaurant where the trio ordered a $361 tomahawk steak.

The aspiring politician said he is not alone in having “baggage”.

“The biggest advantage I have is that there’s nothing anyone doesn’t already know about me,” he said.

John Macgowan accompanied Bruce Lehrmann to court during the aborted criminal trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“If I was to become important enough down here for the Labor and Liberal dirt units to have a look at, they’re not going to have to do much digging, because it’s all in the pages of your august paper,” he said.

Mr Macgowan recently moved from Sydney to Tasmania, where he grew up.

“Having worked in politics for two decades, I’ve never seen a state government in worse condition than the Tasmanian Government,” he said,

Bruce Lehrmann and John Macgowan.

Mr Macgowan said he will run as an independent candidate but is having “productive conversations” with minor parties regarding endorsements.

Mr Macgowan described himself as someone with “a lot of … very conservative” views, while also holding progressive positions on conservation and climate change.

“I like to think of myself as a ‘green-neck’, I just want to be allowed to be left alone by the government.”

Mr Macgowan could get support from the Legalise Cannabis Party for his bid for Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He will run as an independent but could get endorsement and financial support from minor parties, including the Legalise Cannabis Party. A source said the party was “in discussions” about support for Mr Macgowan.

He said he would be targeting “people are just generally fed up with the condition the major parties have left the state in”.

Despite recently living in Sydney, Mr Macgowan said he has been on Tasmania’s electoral roll since 2020.

“My family’s from here, so I went on the Tasmanian electoral roll during Covid.”

Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19, voting for a new state government for the second time in 15 months. The snap election was sparked after Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a motion of no confidence last week.

Originally published as Political dark arts operator John Macgowan to run for Tasmanian parliament