John Tucker confirmed as replacement for Rene Hidding in Lyons
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission has announced who will fill the vacancy left by former Lyons Liberal MHA Rene Hidding.
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The Tasmanian Electoral Commission has announced who will fill the vacancy left by former Lyons Liberal MHA Rene Hidding.
Liberal candidate Break O’Day councillor John Tucker received almost 90 per cent of former Mr Hidding’s preferences when the Tasmanian Electoral Commission held a recount for the seat on Tuesday, blitzing the 11 other candidates who put their hand up to fill the vacancy.
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Mr Tucker said he accepted the recount with “great pride and anticipation”.
“As a sixth-generation Tasmanian family with farming roots in the Winnaleah and St
Helens regions, I’m looking forward to joining my Lyons colleagues Guy Barnett and
Mark Shelton, and Prosser MLC Jane Howlett, in representing the regional and rural
communities of Tasmania,” Mr Tucker said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years as a councillor on the Break O’Day Council
and it has been my aspiration for some time to take this level of public service to a
state level.”
Mr Tucker also paid tribute to his predecessor, who resigned after being accused of historic sex offences. Mr Hidding has strongly denied the claims.
Mr Tucker said: “I would also like to pay tribute to Rene Hidding for his 23 years’ service to the electorate of Lyons and to the Tasmanian Liberal Party, and wish him well in retirement.”
Premier Will Hodgman said he looked forward to working with Mr Tucker for Tasmanians.
“John is well known to his community as a Break O’Day Councillor and local farmer,” Mr Hodgman said.
“I have no doubt John will be a strong voice in our Parliament.”
The election of Mr Tucker, a party conservative, meant the Liberals have maintained their majority.
A recount held for former Braddon Liberal MHA Adam Brooks’ seat last month returned former Liberal MP Joan Rylah to the Lower House.
The Government prorogued Parliament by one week to allow the recount.
The state’s Upper and Lower houses will resume on March 19.
EARLIER: TWELVE candidates will vie to fill the vacancy left by former Lyons Liberal MHA Rene Hidding in Tasmania’s Lower House.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission confirmed the recount kicked off about noon on Tuesday with a result expected by the afternoon.
Liberal John Tucker is expected to take the seat, but he will compete against Jacqui Lambie Network candidates Chris Reynolds and Bob Vervaart, Labor candidates Gerard Gaffney, Janet Lambert and Kylie Wright, Greens Fraser Brindley, Helen Hutchinson, Glenn Millar and Garry Whisson, and independents Glenn Millar and Gary Whisson.
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The Tasmanian Electoral Commission said more than 12,000 ballot papers had been distributed.
Mr Hidding quit late last month after being accused of historic sex offences — claims he strongly denies.
Parliament was prorogued to allow the recount.
emily.baker@news.com.au
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