Sam McQuestin returns as Liberal Party state director to run federal election campaign

The Liberal Party has revealed its new state director. Find out who’s coming back.

The late Vanessa Goodwin, returning state director Sam McQuestin and former Premier Will Hodgman at the Liberal Conference. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

A former state director of the Liberal Party is returning to his old job to run the Tasmanian campaign for the next federal election.

Sam McQuestin resigned in 2019 to take head the Victorian Liberal Party after eight years as state director in Tasmania.

Tasmanian Liberal Party president Michael McKenna said Mr McQuestin’s return to lead the federal election campaign was “a real coup for the party”.

“Sam is one of the most successful State Directors the Tasmanian Liberal Party has had, overseeing both the 2014 and 2018 State Election wins,” he said.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Leonie Hiscutt MLC, former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and returning State Director Sam McQuestin during the Liberal State Conference in 2019. Picture: Chris Kidd

“He also ran the successful 2013 Tasmanian Federal Election campaign (the last time we won three House of Representative seats in Tasmania), and in 2019 helped to win back both Braddon and Bass, securing Government for former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“He is the ideal person to lead our fight to retain both Braddon and Bass, and win back the crucial seat of Lyons as well as three Senate seats at the upcoming Federal Election.”

Mr McKenna said in recent years Mr McQuestin and a group of friends had established and run the successful Tamar Valley Grocer.

Mr McQuestin will take up the position in coming weeks.

Earlier this year Mr McQuestin had to pay $40,000 in fines for breaching electoral advertising laws.

The Australian Electoral Commission sued him over four advertisements placed in the Geelong Advertiser before the 2022 federal election.

Liberal director heading up North

Peter Coulson, former Liberal Party Tasmanian director. Picture Supplied.

The former state director of the Liberal Party in Tasmania will take up a new job heading up a national public affairs and government agency.

Counsel House managing director Claire March announced on Friday that Mr Coulson would join the firm to head up its new branch in Queensland.

“Pete has deep ties with the new Queensland Liberal National Party Government, having worked for three former LNP Leaders, including for Premier Crisafulli during his time as Opposition Leader,” Ms March said.

“Pete is one of Australia’s leading political strategists and has an exceptional understanding of the current political and policy landscape in Queensland.

“He also brings excellent insights into the conservative-side policy making at a federal level.”

Mr Coulson, who announced his resignation last month, told the Mercury he was “thrilled” to be joining Counsel House.

“It’s been wonderful working with the Tasmanian Liberals, and I’m looking forward to building on this experience to deliver value for clients in my new role,” he said.

It had been rumoured in some Liberal circles that Mr Coulson would take up a job with Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

Counsel House advisers include Brad Nowland, the former media adviser to Premier Will Hodgman and former NSW Labor Premier Nathan Rees.

When he resigned, Liberal Party president Michael McKenna praised Mr Coulson for his proud record, strategic thinking and “dedicated service”.

“As State Director, Pete has a record to be proud of, first leading the 2022 Tasmanian Liberal federal election campaign where Tasmania was the only state to achieve a positive swing to the Liberals, retaining both Bass and Braddon and only narrowly missing out in Lyons,” he said.

“The Tasmanian 2022 campaign review highly commended Pete Coulson’s strategic thinking and professionalism in the face of a significantly challenging political landscape.

“Second, earlier this year Pete led the Liberal campaign team to a historic fourth term of Liberal Government in Tasmania, and his leadership was a critical element of this success.”

Mr Coulson will take up his new job at the end of November.

Originally published as Sam McQuestin returns as Liberal Party state director to run federal election campaign