Franklin Greens candidate Owen Fitzgerald steps down

A 19-year-old tipped to be the Greens’ next big thing in Tasmania, has bowed out of the race for a federal seat over a constitutional issue.

Greens have announced 19 year old Owen Fitzgerald as their candidate for Franklin in the next federal election with the backing of former leader Bob Brown. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The young Greens candidate running for Franklin has been struck out.

Owen Fitzgerald, who had the public backing by former Greens leader Bob Brown and tipped as a rising leader in the party, addressed media around midday flanked by Senator Nick McKim.

He is likely ineligible to stand for the election under section 44 of the constitution, the Greens say upon Mr Fitzgerald ending his campaign on Wednesday.

Mr Fitzgerald had renounced his United Kingdom citizenship in 2024, but despite not being a registered citizen of New Zealand, legal advice on Wednesday confirmed he was a citizen by descent.

The party said the teenager was unaware of the fact.

The Greens said the decision was made after receiving legal advice.

“This situation is not Owen’s fault. It was an administrative error in the party’s candidate vetting process,” Mr McKim said.

“Owen is a fantastic young person who has campaigned with energy and verve to defend nature, and for climate action and human rights.”

“I have no doubt that Owen has a massive future in the Greens and in politics. If parliaments had more people like Owen the world would be a far better place.”

Mr Fitzgerald said he was disappointed but the setback was temporary and “I will be back”.

“Fighting for environmental and social justice has always been a lifetime mission for me,” he said.

The seat of Franklin has been held by Labor’s Julie Collins since 2007.

The Greens candidate wasn’t the only one campaigning on anti-salmon farming, a contentious issue in the electorate. With Neighbours of Fish Farming president and former foreign correspondent Peter George still running for the seat.

Mr Brown had called the 19-year-old the “face of the future” in February.

“He has wide ranging interests and has got a better grip on matters than some older members of parliament I’ve met,” Mr Brown told the Mercury at that time.

“Owen is a positive young voice in a world being trashed by the old parties.”

While Sen McKim would not be drawn on whether the Greens would swing behind the campaign of anti-salmon independent Peter George, Mr George did receive the backing of veteran environmentalist and former Greens party leader, Dr Bob Brown.

Dr Brown said that while he was disappointed to see Mr Fitzgerald withdraw from the race, it was vital to maintain political momentum against what he called a toxic industry in Tasmania.

“What I want to say is that this morning, I’ve joined the campaign to elect independent Peter George, a community campaigner on fish farms, and to save our forests, and to look after the lifestyle of the average voter in Franklin.

“It’s very important that this campaign keeps rolling, and it’s going to end up a contest between the incumbent Julie Collins, who’s in favour of polluting fish farms, and the destruction of forests.

“In fact, she’s minister for both.

“Peter George isn’t he’s a true community representative, and I’m looking forward to this campaign really revving up now as it becomes a two-horse race between Julie Collins and Peter.”

Dr Brown said he was not surprised by a Wednesday announcement by the Liberal Party advising its supporters to put Mr George behind Labor on the ballot in Franklin, saying it was “corporate-captured” organisation that prioritised the interests of foreign-owned salmon farms.

The former Senator said that despite his support for Mr George in Franklin, he would continue to campaign for the Greens in the other four Tasmanian electorates, and for the party’s Senate candidates.

Mr George welcomed the endorsement of Dr Brown, but said he would accept the support of any Franklin voter who was “sick of the duopoly” and wanted an independent member in Canberra.

Mr George said that while he felt for Mr Fitzgerald at a personal level, the Greens’ candidate’s unexpected departure from the race provided progressive constituents the chance to consolidate their vote.

“I’m very sad for Owen, who is a very good young man with a great political future, and you wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” Mr George said.

“But Owen bowing out is likely to attract people who might otherwise have voted Green to vote independent.

“I think that we’re going to run a very good campaign on 3 May. I think we’ve got a very good chance of challenging both majors.”

Originally published as Franklin Greens candidate Owen Fitzgerald steps down