Former Liberal senator Eric Abetz is seeking Liberal preselection

After months of speculation, Eric Abetz has confirmed to the Sunday Tasmanian he will seek Liberal preselection at the next state election. The exclusive interview.

Eric Abetz at Blackman's Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

Former longstanding Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz is attempting a political comeback.

After months of speculation, Mr Abetz has confirmed to the Sunday Tasmanian he will seek Liberal endorsement for the seat of Franklin at the next state election.

“Whilst a lot of thought and consideration went into the decision I was convinced that I had a skill set and experience including from being Liberal leader in the Australian Senate for five years which would be of real world practical benefit to the Tasmanian people and the Liberal Party,” he said.

“The drive and determination to serve and make a positive difference for our fellow Tasmanians remains as strong as ever.”

After the 65-year-old lawyer lost his seat in 2022, after 28 years in the Senate, he said he still had “much petrol in the tank”.

Despite being relegated to the virtually unwinnable third spot on the Senate ticket after a bitter preselection battle, he was “heartened” that 15,414 people gave him their first preference vote.

Senator Eric Abetz watching election coverage on TV. Liberal function in Hobart at Hellenic House on federal election night 2022. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Abetz, a conservative Christian who served as a minister in both the Howard and Abbott governments, said many people still approached him for help.

“Not having the resources to fully assist is frustrating but I have nevertheless accepted many invitations to speak at meetings and dinners and serve in the voluntary/charitable sector besides running my consultancy practice,” he said.

“Being around in my local community is something I do cherish and serving in Hobart instead of Canberra will allow me to stay more closely connected.”

He believes the government deserves to be elected in its own right.

“From a Labor/Green government which brought with it the predictable recession Tasmania has been transformed by the Liberals to the ‘turn around State’ to the ‘stand out State’ when it comes to economic performance which is the bedrock for funding health, police and education along with other fundamental services.

“On any objective analysis or measure Tasmania is in a better place today than she was under Labor/ Green rule.

“Tasmanians should never forget the mess they left.”

Once regarded as the most powerful Liberal politician in Tasmania, he rejects assertions he was a powerbroker.

“How others perceive me and my role in the party is for them.

“I do not warm to or identify with the description of ‘powerbroker’ whatever that may mean.

“However it did become fashionable for some to lay the blame for every sub-optimal outcome at my feet and completely ignore my presence when success came the Liberals way.

“The dishonesty and incongruity of that rationale is not lost with most people.”

At the next election, due in 2025, Mr Abetz said Tasmanians had a choice between “a tried and proven Liberal Government and a tired and fractured Labor Party” run under the party’s national executive.

“Labor has a nice but hapless leader who is controlled by two ex-union bosses appointed by Canberra.

“The Liberals in stark contrast have decisions being made by Tasmanians in Tasmania for Tasmanians.

“Labor simply is paralysed and cannot make such a vitally important claim. Those factors are more important than an academic argument about where the centre of politics might lie.

“Being in tune with the aspirations and needs of our fellow Tasmanians is key.”

Nominations for Liberal preselection close on Monday January 8.

Originally published as Former Liberal senator Eric Abetz is seeking Liberal preselection