Allison Ritchie plans to run as independent in Upper House seat she once held

She was the youngest person elected to the Legislative Council 24 years ago and now Allison Ritchie wants to return to her old stomping ground. Read why the deputy Clarence mayor is running.

Clarence City Council deputy mayor Allison Ritchie will run as an independent in the Legislative Council. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Clarence deputy mayor and former government minister, Allison Ritchie, will run as an independent in the Legislative Council seat she once held promising to introduce a bill to prevent the sale of public assets.

When elected to the seat of Pembroke in 2001 she was the first Labor Party member to hold the seat, the youngest MLC elected and the first woman in the Upper House to have a baby while a member.

Ms Ritchie, who is no longer an ALP member, said she was disgusted at changes to the state’s planning laws and moves to sell off public assets.

Politics Allison Ritchie among her campaign photos at home the day after her election win

“We must protect public assets that have taken generations to build from privatisation,” she said.

“If elected, I will introduce legislation that will disallow any future sale of core public assets without the approval of the people by way of referendum.

“I was part of the original ‘Hands Off The Hydro’ campaign and have maintained opposition to the sale of core government assets – such as our water, energy and transport.

“Tasmania should not have to continually wage campaigns with successive governments to protect public assets.”

Ms Ritchie opposes the introduction of development assessment panels which she said take planning away from local councils and threaten the “integrity and independence” of the planning scheme.

“Our planning scheme and, and how communities have a say in it, is world’s best practice and DAPS will completely erode any integrity in the planning system.

“I couldn’t just sit by and let that go unchallenged because, much to my horror, Labor and Liberal have joined forces to support this bill. Once these rights are gone it will be very, very difficult to get them back.”

Parliament Tasmania, Labor Upper House member Allison Ritchie in the Legislative Council, images taken off Parlimentary CCTV

Ms Ritchie, who was minister for planning and workplace relations for six weeks before resigning in 2009 due to ill health, will seek leave without pay from the Clarence Council and as general manager of the Hobart Police and Community Youth Club to contest the election due in May.

Since she entered parliament she has been a prominent voice for survivors of child sexual abuse, and says there is a need for improved child protection measures and youth services and also better community and sporting infrastructure.

Politics Allison Ritchie Legislative Councillor

Ms Ritchie also wants a permanent ban on foreign investors buying residential properties and land and says she is concerned about the lack of maintenance being undertaken on Homes Tasmania properties, including those managed by NFP/NGO’s, which she says needs reviewing.

Political analyst Professor Richard Herr says Ms Ritchie is in with a “reasonably solid chance”.

“Incumbency has always mattered, it’s a significant factor in Legislative Council elections,” he said.

“But she has the benefits of previous incumbency and a high profile as deputy mayor and that will stand her in good stead.”

Sitting Labor MLC Luke Edmunds will recontest Pembroke.

She’s not the only Clarence councillor aiming for parliament, with mayor Brendan Blomeley recently announcing he would run as an independent in Franklin at the upcoming federal election.

Originally published as Allison Ritchie plans to run as independent in Upper House seat she once held