Nationals set to run candidates in Tasmania’s 2025 election with a clear message

The state is heading to an election and parties are swarming to get a seat at the table. Is it time for the Nationals to get a foothold in the Apple Isle?

Senator Bridget McKenzie in Launceston to announce the Tasmanian Nationals state election plans. Picture: Patrick Gee

Another political party is joining the no stadium, yes team mantra despite the AFL’s assertion the conditions for the Tasmanian devil AFL license are non-negotiable.

In Launceston on Thursday Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie said the party’s opposition to the Macquarie Point stadium was due to the “parlour state of the state’s finances”.

She said Tasmanians had “had enough” of being ignored by the major parties, and were looking for more than a “protest party” for a stable way forward.

“Tasmania deserves a party of government that’s focused on them,” Ms McKenzie said.

“But what we have seen with both the major parties recently is that they have been focused on themselves, on holding and maintaining power or seeking to grab power — and Tasmanians have rightly had enough.”

Tasmanian Nationals declare they are open for nominations for candidates to run in the 2025 state election. From left Campaign spokesman Carl Cooper, Senator Bridget McKenzie and Tasmanian Nationals chair Pip Allwright. Picture: Patrick Gee

On Thursday the Tasmanian Nationals announced it would contest the July 19 election, calling for candidate nominations.

The party officially declared its opposition to the Macquarie Point stadium, while supporting the establishment of a Tasmanian based ‘Devils’ AFL team.

Ms McKenzie said the Tasmanian Nationals were not against a stadium, “anywhere, ever” but did not support the Macquarie Point Stadium Proposal.

“The Tasmanian Nationals know first hand the importance of local football to communities at a social and economic level.

“We believe every boy and girl who is playing football in Scottsdale should be able to aspire to play for the AFLW and AFL because they can see the pathway in their own state,” she said.

Ms McKenzie said the Tasmanian Nationals did not think it “fair” to saddle the state with “intergenerational debt” for the stadium set to cost more than $1 billion.

Chair of the Tasmanian Nationals Pip Allwright said the party had a long history of standing up for local communities and would be the strongest alternative to the major parties.

“We want better services, health and education, housing solutions, and we want to support

our key industries and the jobs that go with them.”

Ms McKenzie said the National Party had been “prudent economic managers” in government for over a century and were looking forward to bringing “experience and focus” to the state.

“There really is a palpable desire for a political party that isn’t a party of protest that supports Tasmanian industries like mining, aquaculture, forestry and understands small business”.

“They want practical common sense solutions from a party that knows what they are doing,” Ms McKenzie said.