Federal Labor plots how to secure marginal seat of Lyons held by Brian Mitchell

If former Labor Leader Rebecca White does decide to run for the Federal seat of Lyons, she’ll have the support of the party’s current state leader. Latest.

Tasmanian State Election 2024, Labor leader Rebecca White in the tally room, Hotel Grand Chancellor. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor leader Dean Winter says he will back former leader Rebecca White if she decides to run in the federal seat of Lyons.

The Mercury reported on Saturday that Ms White is being courted by powerbrokers in Canberra to make the switch to the federal sphere.

Mr Winter said it was up to sitting MP Brian Mitchell to decide whether he wanted to contest the seat he has won three times and which is one of the most marginal in Australia.

“We’ve got a great federal member for Lyons and we’ve got a couple of great state members for Lyons,” he said.

“It’s up to Brian to make decisions about his future and I’m sure he’ll make decisions and announce those.”

Hobart, Tuesday 15th October 2024. Opposition leader Dean Winter speaks to media at Parliament square. Picture: Linda Higginson

Labor is yet to open nominations for the five federal seats at the 2025 election.

Mr Winter said Ms White had his support to “make any decision she wants”.

“She’s earned the right within the Labor Party to make decisions for her future,” he said.

“She has been, and is an incredible contributor to our Tasmanian parliament.

“She’s somebody that we’ve got enormous respect for and I think the people of Lyons have an enormous affection for Rebecca.

“So whatever she chooses to do in her future, whether that’s next year or five, 10 years, she’ll have my support to do it.”

Ms White said she remained focused on serving the people of Lyons as she had done for the past 14 years.

Former federal Labor MP for Lyons Dick Adams, who held the seat for 20 years, would not weigh into the debate but said the electorate needed strong representation.

He said he held the seat with a margin varying between 1.6 per cent and 10.5 per cent.

“I’m concerned that since Labor came to power at the last federal election, we lost votes,” Mr Adams.

“It is quite unusual that when you win power federally your vote would drop.

“Lyons voters are always very loyal if you work hard and given them representation.

“The small communities need a strong voice or they get left behind.”

The late Labor MP Gil Duthie held the seat, then known as Wilmot, from 1956 to 1972 and Liberal member Max Burr served for 18 years.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam said it was an “insult” to Lyons voters that Ms White was being considered when she had lost three elections.

Canberra powerbrokers target former Labor leader for Lyons

Former Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White is being courted by Canberra powerbrokers to run in the federal seat of Lyons.

The possibility of Ms White moving to the federal arena was first raised both during and after the March state election where Labor failed for the third time under her leadership to win government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is believed to be a supporter of Ms White, who quit as leader after the election loss.

The federal seat of Lyons is one of the most marginal in Australia.

Brian Mitchell, who first won the seat in 2016 when he defeated Liberal Eric Hutchinson, narrowly retained it in 2022 with a nailbiting wait for the final result.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Lyons MP Brian Mitchell at Sorell. Picture: Chris Kidd

Asked about Ms White, he said: ‘no comment”.

Labor sources say there is no way Ms White would want to stand if Mr Mitchell wants to seek a fourth term.

“Rebecca is a person of the utmost integrity and she would not doing anything without Brian’s support,” one source said.

“She is very well regarded by everyone and has been a great representative for Lyons.”

Ms White told the Mercury on Friday: “All I can say is that I’m focused on serving the people of Lyons as I’ve proudly done for 14 years.”

Tasmanian Labour leader Rebecca White at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

At the March state election she received a massive 15,607 first preference votes, ahead of Liberal MP Guy Barnett with 8252 votes.

Political analyst Professor Richard Herr said there was no doubt Ms White would be a “strong candidate” but he believed it was for Mr Mitchell to decide his future.

“As a past leader she would be a strong candidate and she performed very well personally,” he said.

“But my past research showed that incumbency matters more in Lyons than other electorates so if Brian was persuaded to leave against his will that would hurt Rebecca’s chances.

“The ball is very much in Brian’s court in this instance.”

Brian Mitchell MP. Picture: Chris Kidd

While the Liberal Party has endorsed candidates in all five electorates, and also it Senate team, Labor has so far not announced any candidates.

Professor Herr said candidates without a high profile needed time to become well known with voters.

It is likely that Richard Dowling, a former Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist and adviser to former Premier Lara Giddings will be on Labor’s Senate ticket for the 2025 election.

Mr Dowling, who left social media giant Meta and returned to Hobart in August to work for Labor leader Dean Winter could run on the ticket in the coveted number two spot sparking anger and disbelief from unions.

“He is bright but despised by many unions,” one source said.

Labor senator Carol Brown, who would be number one on the ticket said: “It is my intention to renominate through the party processes at the appropriate time.”

Senator Catryna Bilyk, who had the number two spot at the last senate election, said she would make an announcement ‘when I am ready” about whether she intended to stand.