Liberal Party signals major voting system review after attack on independents

Tasmania’s Liberal Party has voted to review the Hare-Clark electoral system after a member called independents “dregs” and made personal attacks on their appearance and hygiene.

Southern Young Liberals delegate David Wan at 2025 state council. Picture: Elise Kaine

The state Liberal Party has signalled an overhaul of Tasmania’s Hare–Clark electoral system in a bid to prevent the election of independents on a fraction of the primary vote.

The motion was moved at the Liberal State Council at the paranaple Convention Centre on Saturday.

Seconder Liz Kinnheir‑Tarte from the Burnie branch said she was “confounded” by the system that allowed people who were “shaming us” to be elected to represent Tasmania.

She called out Braddon independent Craig Garland, and said a change to Tasmania’s system would “get the right people in, not the dregs”.

She said she was “absolutely shocked” that the “fellow in Braddon who never gets a haircut or bathes”, and firebrand Senator Jacqui Lambie were elected.

“This is what Hare‑Clark has done to Braddon,” she said.

Burnie Branch Liberal Member Liz Kinnheir-Tarte at the Tasmanian Liberals state council 2025. Picture: Elise Kaine

Hare‑Clark is Tasmania’s proportional representation system used to elect the House of Assembly, with multi‑member divisions and transferable preferences that can see candidates elected with a relatively low primary vote.

Franklin business branch member James Walker said he was against the motion as it was written in the agenda, which had multiple references to the Hare‑Clark system.

He said he was open to supporting the new motion, but “if you don’t know, vote no”.

Mr Walker agreed that it was an opportune moment to do a partial review of the system, but warned the party to “be careful what it wishes for”.

“Going in with preconceived ideas to a road like this would be a road to unintended consequences,” he said.

The motion that “a review committee be appointed to research effective alternative electoral systems to see how the voting system may be improved or even replaced” was carried successfully.

Anti-stadium protestors at Haines Park Devonport outside the Paranaple Centre ahead of the Tasmanian Liberals state council. Picture: Elise Kaine

Also at the State Council, Southern Young Liberal member David Wan moved a motion calling on the state government to reaffirm its support for the Macquarie Point Stadium after a rally gathered outside the paranaple Convention Centre urging members of the Legislative Council to reject the stadium order and focus on York Park as the AFL hub of Tasmania.

Mr Wan ran as a Liberal candidate for Clark in the 2025 state election.

Around 60 people gathered at Haines Park in Devonport on Saturday morning with signs encouraging people to support York Park, not Macquarie Point. The group emblazoned the message in chalk outside the paranaple Convention Centre while the State Council was ongoing.

Southern Young Liberals member David Wan at the Tasmanian Liberals state council 2025. Picture: Elise Kaine

Jake Stebbings, the seconder to the motion from Southern Young Liberals, said said he was sick of seeing friends move to the mainland for greater opportunities.

Speaking against the motion, Barbara Ibbott from the Lyons branch said she could not support the government building the stadium due to the costs. Ms Ibbott said she suffers from health concerns and that the state had more important priorities.

In response, Minister responsible for the Macquarie Point Stadium, Eric Abetz, made an impassioned plea to the crowd about the potential benefits to come from building the stadium. He said the branch didn’t need to move the motion to convince the state government to keep championing the project.

Mr Abetz said he would not be at the second day of the State Council in order to attend the pro‑stadium rally in Hobart. The motion passed with majority support from delegates.

In his speech to the council Premier Jeremy Rockliff reaffirmed his support for the stadium but said he understood “why there are differing views to this project”.

“I get it,” he told delegates at the state council.

“It is a big decision. It is a big investment. But it is also a massive opportunity.”

He said he was convinced that the project’s biggest critics would turn into supporters after the stadium is built.

Michael McKenna was re-elected as the President after the party sercretariat falsely announced he was elected unopposed earlier this month.

The Mercury understands Mr McKenna received 88 votes and 2024 state election candidate for Clark, Catherine Searle received 60 votes.

Originally published as Liberal Party signals major voting system review after attack on independents