Sarah Lovell to recontest seat of Rumney in Legislative Council race

She was the surprise winner against former Clarence alderman Tony Mulder — and Sarah Lovell has revealed her motivations behind recontesting her seat of Rumney.

Sarah Lovell with children Molly 11 and Thomas 7.Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

LABOR member for Rumney in the Legislative Council Sarah Lovell will recontest her seat at next year’s election – with former MLC and Clarence alderman Tony Mulder also not ruling out running.

In her first tilt at politics, Ms Lovell was a surprise winner against Mr Mulder in 2017.

Her party endorsement on Friday follows Premier Jeremy Rockliff recently announcing that Gregory Brown will run for the Liberals in Rumney, after missing out in his bid for Pembroke. The Eastern Shore seat includes Lauderdale, Rokeby, Cambridge and Richmond.

Ms Lovell, who has several shadow portfolios and is leader of Opposition business in the Legislative Council, said voters in Rumney, like most Tasmanians, were concerned about health, affordable housing, cost of living and climate change.

“Labor is focused on the issues that matter most to Tasmanians – access to health services, the housing crisis and cost of living,” she said.

“On the other hand, the Liberal government has had four ministers resign just this year, including a premier, and are focused on completely the wrong priorities.

“I think what people really want is a representative who works hard, acts with integrity and can relate to their everyday lives.”

Sarah with children Molly 11 and Thomas 7. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Lovell said the Legislative Council was “collaborative and respectful” and she was determined good legislation was delivered for Tasmanians.

“But one of the things I love most about representing my community is getting to see so many amazing things happening, and being able to support fantastic people doing fantastic things,” she said.

“This has been a big focus for me, working with my community to promote and grow things that make a community a beautiful, inclusive place to live and work.”

Ms Lovell, who co-parents her two children, said she was fortunate they had been “warmly welcomed” across the Rumney electorate.

“There are thousands of single parents juggling work and home life across Tasmania – I know how tricky that can be, but I’m not about to pretend it’s as hard for me as it is for many others,” she said.

Mr Mulder, who was a member of the Liberal Party but ran and voted as an independent, would not rule out running for his old seat.

“You never say never. I want to see independents in the Legislative Council,” he said.

Mr Mulder narrowly missed out on being elected Clarence mayor at October’s local government elections.