Gavin Pearce to stand in Braddon despite professional differences with Bridget Archer
Gavin Pearce is the second former federal MP to announce he will run at the state election. Why he’s having another shot.
Tasmania
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Former federal Liberal MP Gavin Pearce has put aside his differences over loyalty with colleague Bridget Archer and will come in off the farm to run at the state election.
Mr Pearce, a former Army veteran, businessman and farmer was first elected in 2019 defeating Labor’s Justine Keay.
Despite getting the biggest swing to him of any coalition member in Australia at the 2022 election he decided last year he would not recontest his seat.
At the time Liberal Party sources said he did not want the party to endorse outspoken Bass MP Bridget Archer, who lost her seat at the May federal election.
Ms Archer crossed the floor several times and also has been endorsed to run at the July 19 state election.
“I’ve had my professional differences with particularly the loyalty aspects and that was a professional thing,” he told the Mercury.
“When it comes to how I personally get on with Bridget Archer, well I still love her like a sister and that’s how professional people are.
“We can have differences of professional opinion and yet still maintain that personal mutual respect.”
Mr Pearce said he had decided to re-enter the political fray because he “deeply” respected Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
“Ever since this has flared up, the phone’s obviously gone off the hook and it’s people that know how much I love this region, and people that I deeply respect, absolutely pleading with me that we need some common sense there and at this time you’re it,” he said.
“I do it out of a sense of duty.
“I said to Jeremy I’m quite happy on the farm, I’m getting a lot done.”
Mr Pearce also said he supported the Macquarie Point stadium after his funding priorities for ports and northwest hospital services had been addressed by the state government.
“We just need to get on with it now,” he said.
“We need to roll our sleeves up and get on with it.”
Mr Pearce said he would fight for his region which was “the engine room of the Tasmanian economy”.
“They’re a little bit old fashioned up here, you know, and they don’t like white anting.
“How can you govern the state when you’re arguing among yourselves?
“Jeremy is well regarded up here.”
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Originally published as Gavin Pearce to stand in Braddon despite professional differences with Bridget Archer
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