Julie Collins faces independents’ day, as mayor and anti-salmon crusader win backing

A Labor minister and stalwart could face two prominent independents this federal election. But could her safe seat really be in doubt?

Federal Labor minister Julie Collins and Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley at Clarendon Vale Oval. He is considering taking on Ms Collins in her seat of Franklin. Picture: Elise Kaine

Federal cabinet minister Julie Collins faces a potential challenge from two well-supported independents amid widespread unrest over salmon farms in her Tasmanian electorate.

Clarence mayor Brendan Blom­eley told The Australian he was “actively considering” standing against Ms Collins, who has held the southern seat of Franklin for 18 years.

It is the first time Mr Blomeley, a conservative but pragmatic former Liberal with a strong profile, has confirmed speculation he was considering the move.

“In recent months, a number of community and business leaders have urged me to stand, acknowledging that Franklin is in desperate need of strong, experienced, and effective representation in Canberra,” Mr Blomeley said.

“For far too long, the electors of Franklin have been ignored by the major parties, with the Liberals writing it off as too hard and Labor taking them for granted. We ­deserve so much better.”

Mr Blomeley said he had “not yet settled my position” and was engaged in an “evolving conversation” with “family and supporters”. A fierce critic of the Rockliff state Liberals, he could expect several controversies from his past to be used against him should he run.

In 2024, Greens MP Cassy O’Connor used parliamentary privilege to accuse him of ­“bullying and sexual harassment” of Liberal women, claims he ­rejected as “unsubstantiated and defamatory”.

Anti-salmon industry independent Peter George is already in the race for Franklin, where many of the state’s fish farms are located, and is understood to have a $100,000 war chest and activist support.

Independent candidate for the federal seat of Franklin Peter George.

Ms Collins, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, appears safe on a 13.7 per cent margin and Labor is confident of holding the seat, which takes in parts of Hobart’s east and south, as well as rural areas further south.

Some within Labor believe Mr Blomeley would mostly steal votes from Liberal candidate Josh Garvin and Mr George will cannibalise the Greens vote.

Opponents believe Ms Collins is a declining force and are encouraged by the 7.3 per cent negative swing against her 2022.

Mr George, a journalist-turned-anti-salmon-campaigner, said the two major parties underestimated community concern about salmon farms.

“We have some of the most magnificent waterways in the world in Franklin and anyone who uses those waterways – recreational fishers, professional fishers, divers, swimmers – knows perfectly well that they are suffering, that they are being damaged by the salmon industry,” he said.

“I don’t think Labor or Liberal in Canberra understand that this is a down-home issue affecting people’s daily lives.”

However, the salmon industry is a key employer in the electorate and has much support, including from Ms Collins.

Ms Collins said she never took her “role for granted”. “(I) will keep fighting for the remainder of this term for the people of Franklin and Tasmania and will continue to do so if I am elected again,” she said, pointing to Labor cost-of-living and infrastructure measures.

Polling in November 2024 suggested Labor was holding its primary vote in Franklin but that the Liberal vote had surged, while – before Mr George or Mr Blomeley declared an interest – there was an 11 per cent independent vote.

Some pundits believe Franklin is ripe for an upset if volatility over salmon farms is combined with the presence of well-backed independents, an inexperienced Liberal and a high minor party vote.