Key Liberal candidate Adam Brooks denies ammunition storage offences
Tasmanian election hopeful — state Liberal party treasurer Adam Brooks — hit with firearms storage offences.
A key Liberal Tasmanian election candidate — state party treasurer Adam Brooks — will have to face court on alleged firearms storage offences.
Mr Brooks, a former MP seeking to return to parliament as a star Liberal candidate in the northwest seat of Braddon, said he would be “vigorously defending” himself against the charges.
“I am a clay target shooter and I have had a discussion with the police in relation to the storage of ammunition,” Mr Brooks said. “There are no firearms involved. I will be vigorously defending the allegations.”
The Liberal Party did not comment when asked whether Mr Brooks would remain party state treasurer.
However, Premier Peter Gutwein said Mr Brooks would remain a candidate. “I’ve spoken to Mr Brooks and as he has advised he will be vigorously defending the ammunition storage allegations, and he will remain a candidate,” Mr Gutwein said.
Tasmania Police issued a statement, saying: “A 45-year-old northwest man will be proceeded against in relation to alleged firearms storage offences.
“Police allege the man incorrectly stored ammunition as required by the Firearms Act. The man will be summonsed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.”
Mr Brooks is an important candidate for the Liberals. While he quit parliament in 2019 after a conflict of interest controversy, Mr Brooks was persuaded to run again and is expected to be a big vote winner for the Liberals in Braddon.
The Liberals have already lost a candidate, with the resignation last week of Franklin hopeful Dean Ewington, after it was revealed he had attended an anti-lockdown rally.
However, Labor has had the lion’s share of controversy so far this state election, with the loss of a candidate due to “vulgar” texting allegations, ALP national executive intervention in the preselection of another candidate blocked by left wing powerbrokers, and attacks on party policy by yet another candidate.
The state election is on May 1.
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