Liberal MP Gavin Pearce uncertain whether to stand again

He had the highest swing of any Liberal MP in the country at the last federal election but Gavin Pearce is no certainty to run again. Find out why he is weighing up his options.

MP Gavin Pearce reveals he’s uncertain about his future in federal politics. Picture Grant Viney

The federal Liberal member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, who had the biggest swing to him of any coalition MP in Australia at the last election, may decide not to run again.

Despite significant swings against the Liberals in several seats at the 2022 federal election, Mr Pearce recorded a more than six per cent swing to the Liberals.

The former Army veteran, businessman and farmer was first elected in 2019 when he defeated sitting Labor MHR Justine Keay.

Liberal member for Braddon Gavin Pearce. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

Mr Pearce, 56, says he is undecided about whether to stand again and is waiting to be told when pre-selection for the North-West seat will be held.

“I want everything laid out in front of me, the dates and there are issues that I need to think about before I make that formal announcement about standing again,” he told the Mercury on Sunday.

“I’ve done two terms now and I’ve got to think about a number of things.

“I’ve got a young family. I lost my first wife and I’ve started again, and have a nine-year-old and my youngest turns three next week.

“My son who is 21 now was seven when he lost his mum and I bought him up as a single parent and then of course started again so I’ve got to consider the time that politics takes away from the family.”

Mr Pearce has been widely reported to be delaying his nomination for Braddon to force the Liberal Party to reject sitting MP Bridget Archer standing again in Bass.

Liberal member for Braddon Gavin Pearce after retaining his seat in the 2022 Federal election. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

He is believed to be angry and upset that Ms Archer, the former George Town mayor, has crossed the floor in parliament to vote against the party.

Mr Pearce declined to be drawn on Ms Archer saying: “I really don’t want to comment on a colleague, Bridget Archer, it’s up to her what she does.”

He is currently the shadow assistant minister for health, aged care and Indigenous health services.

“My position here is pretty strong, I stole it (the seat) off Labor back in 2019.

“I didn’t do this as a career.

“I did this from a service perspective.”

As well as owning farms, Mr Pearce had 20 years in the army and 15 years in the concrete products business.

When he retained his seat in 2022 he praised former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for visiting Braddon 10 times during the election campaign, including on polling day.

“I will follow him for the rest of my dying days,” Mr Pearce said then.