Liberal State Conference: Why the federal Liberals love Tasmania

The Federal Liberal Party has lauded the state branch but says there could be some improvements.

THE Tasmanian Liberal branch has been described as a “thing of beauty” at its annual State Council as the party’s federal president outlined its dramatic turn around in Australia’s island state.

Nick Greiner told the council, held in the electorate of Braddon for the first time since 2003, that just two years ago the “Tasmanian scene was not fantastic.”

Mr Greiner said the state had delivered a less-than-desirable Senate campaign and there was little gender diversity in the party.

“But we easily held on to government in Tasmania and won Bass and Braddon in the Federal Election in May. The Tasmanian Liberal party now a “thing of beauty,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, listens to Nick Greiner's speech during the Tasmanian State Liberal Party Conference in Devonport. Picture: AAP

Mr Greiner did make one criticism of the local campaign, however, saying there could have been better vetting of candidates.

Lyons candidate Jessica Whelan was endorsed and then dumped dramatically during Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Agfest, on the back of the Mercury’s exposure of her inappropriate comments on social media.

Mr Morrison, a staunch Christian, told the party faithful he had always believed in miracles.

But he said political turnarounds — like the one seen by the Liberal Party in Tasmania — could only happen if they are backed by faith.

“The people in this room could have looked at our situation a year ago and walked away thinking “this mob is not going to get it together,” Mr Morrison said.

“But they remembered why they are member of the Liberal Party and what we believe.”

Mr Morrison is on his second visit to Tasmania since May and on Friday visited the 100th Burnie Show as he outlined a $20 million packageto boost the agricultural show sector across Australia.

“Only two Prime Ministers have woken up in Tasmania on election day — myself and Joe Lyons and I am proud to be in that company,” Mr Morrison said.

Again, he described Tasmania as the “turn around state” with a much lower unemployment rate and other economic conditions.

“In the last year of Federal Labor 1000 people left Tasmania but the latest figures showed 2500 decided to come and live here,” he said.

Mr Morrison said the last Federal Election campaign may have been focused on the north of state but all of Tasmania had benefited including through specific strategies such as the Hobart City Deal — which now has timelines.

Rebel Tasmanian Speaker Sue Hickey was a State Liberal Council apology but former Resources Minister Adam Brooks was present and there was a round of applause for Rene Hidding who stepped down earlier this year amid abuse allegations which have since been dropped.