Tasmanian Labor unveils 2025 state election candidates for Clark, Franklin, Lyons electorates

More Labor candidates have been announced — which includes tapping several prominent community leaders to help the Opposition win government.

Labor leader with Clark candidates Ella Haddad, Tessa McLaughlin, Josh Willie, Liam McLaren, John Kamara, Luke Martin. Labor candidates for the 2025 state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A second former federal MP will attempt a political comeback in state parliament as part of the Labor team unveiled for the 19 July election.

One-time federal member for Bass, Geoff Lyons, will join incumbent state representative Janie Finlay on the ticket, together with Melissa Anderson, Jess Greene, Will Gordon, and Luke Moore on Labor’s seven-person ticket.

Labor has promised to run seven candidates in all five Tasmanian electorates, with further names to be revealed as the campaign unfolds.

Labor Leader Dean Winter and the party's northern electorate candidates for the 2025 state election.

Sitting members Anita Dow and Shane Broad will recontest Braddon for Labor, alongside Kelly ‘Hooch’ Hunt, Cheryl Fuller, Adrian Luke, Amanda Diprose, and Tara Woodhouse.

Former federal member for Lyons, Brian Mitchell, has already announced his candidacy for the state parliament.

Speaking in Launceston on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Dean Winter, said Labor’s team of candidates promised a fresh start for Tasmania.

“Today, I’m proud to announce the talented list of candidates who will run for Labor in Franklin, Clark, and Lyons this election and help deliver the change Tasmania needs,” Mr Winter said.

“Our Labor team is already full of passionate Tasmanians from all walks of life – and I couldn’t be more excited about the candidates we’re putting forward to join them in the Parliament.

“They are nurses, teachers, community leaders, small business owners, union advocates and everyday Tasmanians.

“Jeremy Rockliff is sending Tasmania broke, believes in selling our assets and stuffed up our Spirits of Tasmania project.

“Labor will keep assets and our public services in Tasmanian hands – to help keep profits onshore and pay for our schools and hospitals.”

FULL LIST OF LABOR CANDIDATES FOR 2025 ELECTION:

CLARK:

Ella Haddad

Josh Willie

Luke Martin

John Kamara

Tessa McLaughlin

Liam McLaren

Craig Shirley

FRANKLIN:

Dean Winter

Meg Brown

Kaspar Deane

Jess Munday

Amelia Meyers

Chris Hannan

Traycee Di Virgilio

LYONS:

Casey Farrell

Jen Butler

Brian Mitchell

Saxon O’Donnell

Edwin Batt

Shannon Campbell

Richard Goss

BASS:

Janie Finlay

Melissa Anderson

Jess Greene

Will Gordon

Geoff Lyons

Luke Moore

Peter Thomas

BRADDON:

Anita Dow

Shane Broad

Kelly ‘Hooch’ Hunt

Cheryl Fuller

Adrian Luke

Amanda Diprose

Tara Woodhouse

Mayor, former Tasmanian of the Year unveiled as Labor candidates

A former Tasmanian of the Year, an ex-Jacqui Lambie Network candidate, and a local mayor are among the chosen few who have been preselected to run for Labor in the 2025 state election.

Opposition Leader Dean Winter will today unveil Labor’s line-up of candidates for the Southern electorates of Clark and Franklin, as well as the sprawling rural seat of Lyons.

Incumbent Labor MPs Meg Brown, Ella Haddad, Josh Willie, Casey Farrell, Jen Butler, and Mr Winter will all be seeking to retain their seats in parliament.

Luke Martin, who has served as a Glenorchy councillor and later went on to head up the peak body for the state’s tourism industry before taking on the role of CEO at Salmon Tasmania, will hope to pick up a seat in Clark.

Mr Martin has most recently worked as an adviser to Mr Winter.

He will be joined on the ticket by 2023 Tasmanian of the Year, John Kamara, who is a prominent migrant and refugee advocate.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jess Munday has been tapped to run in Franklin, as has Kingborough councillor Kaspar Deane.

Former federal Labor member for Lyons Brian Mitchell will run as a state Labor candidate for Lyons. Labor candidates for the 2025 state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In Lyons, former federal MP Brian Mitchell will hope to make the switch to state parliament after he stepped aside to allow former state Opposition Leader Rebecca White to run for his seat at the 2025 federal election.

Vying for a berth alongside Mr Mitchell will be Southern Midlands Mayor Edwin Batt.

Mr Winter said he was “proud” of the candidates Labor had secured in the state’s South.

“This team is full of passionate Tasmanians from all walks of life – who are ready to represent their local communities and give Tasmania a fresh start,” Mr Winter said.

“Tasmanians have a choice this election between a fresh start under Labor, or more of the same from a Liberal government who have had 11 years.”

Chris Hannan, a former candidate for the now-defunct Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN), will run for Labor in Franklin, saying she made the switch because the party was “united and driven” and “best placed to take the state forward”.

“My values align strongly with the labour movement,” she said.

“I’m passionate about Tasmanians being able to access health, mental health and disability services when they need it, and Labor is a natural fit to help me give more of a voice in parliament to the people that need it.”

Labor candidates from Clark, Lyons and Franklin along with supporters for the 2025 state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Andrew Jenner and Miriam Beswick, who were elected under the JLN banner at the 2024 state election, will now both run for the Nationals.

Ms Beswick, a Braddon MP, went on to sit as an independent after she and her Bass colleague Rebekah Pentland were kicked out of the JLN in August because of their “cosy relationship” with the Liberals.

Originally published as Tasmanian Labor unveils 2025 state election candidates for Clark, Franklin, Lyons electorates