Madeleine Ogilvie joins Liberal Party to contest 2021 state election

She was first elected as a Labor member before returning to Parliament as an independent. Now Madeleine Ogilvie is joining the Liberal Party for the 2021 state election.

MADELEINE Ogilvie wants to be part of Peter Gutwein’s Liberal team.

The former Labor MP will seek Liberal Party endorsement for the seat of Clark where she was first elected in 2014.

Ms Ogilvie lost her seat in 2018 but returned to parliament on a recount to replace Labor’s Scott Bacon, choosing to sit as an independent.

WINTER FACES BATTLE TO WIN LABOR PRESELECTION

“I have thought long and hard about this, and I have come to the conclusion that to run as a Liberal is the best thing for my electorate of Clark, and for the state,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“Since returning to the Parliament in 2019 I have consistently said that my priorities are stability, certainty, and delivering jobs in my electorate of Clark.

“Stability has never been more important than right now as we recover from the pandemic.

“I believe that joining the Liberal Party will allow me to deliver on all of these three things.”

Ms Ogilvie, who is the granddaughter of former Labor MP Eric Ogilvie, and great-niece of former premier Albert Ogilvie, fell out with Labor over her conservative stand on matters such as marriage equality.

Madeleine Ogilvie will contest the 2021 state election as a Liberal candidate. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Her extraordinary switch from Labor to Liberal has been foreshadowed for some time as she has been a strong supporter of the Gutwein government and backing its legislation.

In 1948 Kevin Lyons, the son of former prime minister Joe Lyons, was elected as a Liberal but resigned in 1966 after a fight over pre-selection.

He also sat as an independent before forming the Centre Party, which won the balance of power in 1969. Mr Lyons formed a coalition with the Liberals and was made deputy premier.

Ms Ogilvie said she understood some people might be disappointed she was no longer an independent but wants them to support her.

“My values and principles haven’t changed, I am still the same ‘Maddy’ everyone knows so well and I guarantee that if re-elected as part of the Liberal team I will always speak up for the residents of Clark,” she said.

“At this moment in time as we recover from COVID-19, I firmly believe that what our state needs is the continued firm and decisive leadership of Peter Gutwein, and if elected, with me as part of a majority Government team supporting him.”

Ms Ogilvie said the Liberals offered “certainty and stability”.

“I have got to know the Premier and his team over the last couple of years and have been impressed with his leadership during the crisis,” she said.

“I also believe that they have the best plan for jobs in Clark.

“I was heartened by the recent announcement of the Jobs Hub in Glenorchy and I am hopeful there will be more good news for jobs in Clark should the Liberals be re-elected.”

Madeleine Ogilvie’s switch to the Liberal Party has been foreshadowed for some time. Picture: Zak Simmonds

When asked about Ms Ogilvie on Saturday, Labor leader Rebecca White said she would not be surprised if Ms Ogilvie joined the Liberals because she had supported the government on every vote in parliament.

“I’m sure the voters of Clark would be incredibly disappointed to learn she got in on the back of Scott Bacon’s vote,” Ms White said.

“She’s not only turned her back on the party that got her there but if she’s flipped to the other side that would be a terrible betrayal of those voters in Clark.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said although Ms Ogilvie was a “notional independent” she had voted with the Liberals.

“I hope that people in Clark remember that it was Madeleine’s vote that got the draconian anti-protest laws through the House of Assembly and into the Legislative Council,” Ms O’Connor said.

“If not for Madeleine’s vote, that awful, what we believe is unconstitutional, legislation would never have made it past the House of Assembly.”