Tasmania votes: Firm favourite emerges out of independents’ battle for Clark between Kristie Johnston and Sue Hickey

The independents scrap for Clark between Kristie Johnston and Sue Hickey topped the list of what we learnt from election night. Find out what makes our top five picks.

Two independents, Sue Hickey and Kristie Johnston, battled to secure a seat in Clark on election night.

Plenty of stories emerged from election night. Our picks rang from the independents’ race for Clark to Jacqui Lambie Network poised as powerbrokers, while new ground was gained for the Greens, David O’Byrne is ready for stability and no regrets for Liberal-turned-independent Lara Alexander.

Johnston holds on, Hickey misses out

Kristie Johnston looks like she will retain her position as Clark’s sole independent MP, after Sue Hickey did not gain as much support as expected.

Mingling with supporters at New Town’s Maypole Hotel, which she part-owns, Ms Johnston said she was feeling “very nervous” as the count began.

“I think it’s great we have so many independents that put their hand up. I think it’s a recognition of the mood of the community,” she said.

Ms Johnston said she would not do deals or trade her vote to help a party form minority government.

“What I will be looking for is a functional, collaborative parliament that listens to the people,” she said.

“No deals for me but I do want to make this parliament work. It’s in the best interests of Tasmanians. This is the parliament people have voted for.”

Independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston at her pub the Maypole Hotel in New Town ahead of votes coming in. 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Johnston said she had prioritised being out in the community throughout her time in parliament.

“I firmly believe you shouldn’t leave the campaigning to the last six weeks,” she said.

Ms Hickey, who was formerly served as Liberal Speaker, conceded it was unlikely she would return to parliament.

“I would like to congratulate Kristie Johnston who looks like being the only independent for Clark. Despite the tremendous support I have felt on the campaign it doesn’t seem to be reflected in my vote. My greatest wish is that we get change in the way parliament works. It has been too dysfunctional for too long,” she said.

– Blair Richards

Lambie cagey as network snares say

“Tasmanians, wake up” was Senator Jacqui Lambie’s message to the state as voters went to the polls.

The senator was in Devonport alongside Jacqui Lambie Network Braddon candidates Miriam Beswick and Craig Cutts on Saturday morning.

Mr Cutts said he was just an ordinary bloke.

“I bring a lot of experience into the job if I do get in. We understand what most people out there are dealing with cost of living,” he said.

“To have not just career politicians but people ourselves who that can relate to and understand what they’re going through.”

Lambie Network candidates for Braddon, Miriam Beswick and Craig Cutts, are joined by Senator and party leader Jacqui Lambie as they cast their vote at Reece High School in Devonport in the 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Patrick Gee

Mr Cutts said he and the other candidates had been working hard during the campaign trail.

“We’ve been working 12-hour days for Jacqui and to get this job done. We’ll be a bit nervous but a bit relieved, too, that it’s over now.

“We’ll just see what happens tonight.”

Senator Lambie said she had been repeating the same message all week.

“If you want to change in Tasmania, then vote for the Jacqui Lambie Network,” she said.

“We’ve had 10 years of the Liberal Government, we’ve only seen Tasmania get worse. Seriously, Tasmanians, wake up.

“If they haven’t been able to stuff in 10 years, how can they possibly do stuff in another four.”

L-R Miriam Beswick, Craig Cutts, Jacqui Lambie. Lambie Network candidates for Braddon, Miriam Beswick and Craig Cutts, are joined by Senator and party leader Jacqui Lambie as they cast their vote at Reece High School in Devonport in the 2024 Tasmanian State Election. Picture: Patrick Gee

Senator Lambie said she was confident her party would gain seats in the House of Assembly.

“It’s up to Tasmanians now; that’s what it’s coming down to. It would be lovely to give Tasmania that fourth new party to get started down here.

“So give us a go, because seriously, you have nothing to lose.”

Senator Lambie said the decision to not have a lead candidate in each electorate would not hurt them.

“It’s really unfair to put a lead candidate out, concentrate on them and ask others to run.

“You’ve got to give everybody a fair chance, and that’s putting the same amount behind all the candidates, and that’s what I’ve attempted to do.”

Senator Lambie said she would mentor her party members who enter parliament.

“I will be sharing any knowledge that I’ve had in the last 10 years that I’ve been dealing in parliament, share that knowledge with them, and share those contacts out there of people who I believe are the best people for them to go and see.

“If they need me, they will ring me. It’s for me to mentor and steer them in the right direction and then move back.

“We just want stability for Tasmania.”

– Simon McGuire

Badger breaks fresh ground

The Greens have made serious inroads in Lyons, where they are hopeful of winning a seat for the first time in a decade.

Tabatha Badger, a self-employed contractor, had received 2488 first preference votes as at 9.30pm on Saturday, with the party attracting 10 per cent of the primary vote in the electorate.

Ms Badger told the Mercury the party’s prospects in Lyons were “looking really promising”.

2024 Tasmanian State Election Tabatha Badger Greens candidate for Lyons. Picture: Caroline Tan

However, Ms Badger said it was “not over until it’s over” and political analyst Kevin Bonham has tipped a “three-way fight” for the final two seats in Lyons between the Greens, Labor, and the Jacqui Lambie Network.

“We’re hoping the swing will continue the way that it’s currently going. But after such a fantastic campaign at short notice, everyone in the team is really, really excited,” Ms Badger said on Saturday night.

Despite Lyons being a traditionally conservative electorate, Ms Badger said she wasn’t surprised that regional booths had swung back to the Greens.

“Lyons is such an environmentally heavy electorate in that there are a lot of coastal communities, there are a lot of farmers, and it covers a vast amount of Tasmania’s national parks and the Wilderness World Heritage Area,” she said.

“These are the places that are most special and precious to Tasmanians. And they want to see them protected. We have not had that in the last 10 years. It’s been the complete opposite.

“We’ve seen forests destroyed, our national parks exploited and privatised. And people have had enough.”

If the Greens manage to win the balance of power in the new parliament, Ms Badger said a discussion would be had in the party room regarding concessions it may seek from Tasmania’s new government.

She said the Greens would push for an end to native forest logging and tougher electoral donation disclosure laws.

– Rob Inglis

O’Byrne ready for stability

David O’Byrne is hopeful he will be elected in Franklin and ready to do his bit to provide stable government.

After quitting the Labor Party in January to run as an independent he said he spent most of the campaign explaining to people that he was no longer a Labor MP.

Independent candidate for Franklin David O'Byrne at the Risdon Vale Primary School booth. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Being an independent, it’s always very difficult without the party.

“I really didn’t have a lot of time to establish myself as an independent. A lot of people don’t pay much attention to state politics and thought I was a Labor member.”

Mr O’Byrne believed his support for a Macquarie Point stadium helped him win over some Labor voters.

If elected, he said he was ready to talk to the major parties and independents.

“My view is that people don’t want to go back to have constant elections.

“What they want to have is stability and all the 35 members that are elected have a responsibility to provide that stability.”

Mr O’Byrne took a swipe at Labor’s showing against an unpopular government who “had created division”.

“Someone in the Labor Party needs to take responsibility for their position and take responsibility for decisions they’ve made that have let down thousands of loyal Labor people across the state,” he said.

Labor candidate Meg Brown, who once worked for Mr O’Byrne, finished second behind Mr Winter and faces a nervous wait to see if she will be elected.

– Sue Bailey

Alexander has few regrets

Despite failing in her bid for re-election, Independent Lara Alexander remains steadfast in her political career saying she “wouldn’t change a thing”.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” she said.

“I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know I have stuck by my principles.

“And whatever happens at the end of the day, I am proud that maybe I generated some conversation and people are more open to discuss politics and expect more transparency from their government.”

Tasmania State Election 2024: Bass independent candidate Lara Alexander remains composed ahead of the election results. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

She entered parliament in 2022 after former education minister Sarah Courtney resigned from parliament.

Mrs Alexander then quit the Liberal Party last year along with former Liberal John Tucker, pushing the government into minority.

Despite her defeat, Mrs Alexander called the campaign had been a fantastic experience, and said she looked forward to regaining ‘some normalcy’ in her life.

“But whatever will be, will be,” she said.

“I feel a little relieved we are at the end of the election, and I am very humbled to have met and talked with people, and I have been amazed at the support I have received.

“At the end of the day I am very grateful for everything.”

Although Mrs Alexander won’t be returning to parliament, she said she will not rest for long and continue to work for her community.

“I think the whole process has enriched my life, and when I reflect back, from where I came from – communist Romania, I have been given this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the democratic process,” Mrs Alexander said.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and that’s what I’m taking away from it.

“And I look forward to the next chapter, no doubt working in non for profits and my community.”

– Stephanie Dalton

Originally published as Tasmania votes: Firm favourite emerges out of independents’ battle for Clark between Kristie Johnston and Sue Hickey