Eric Abetz tipped to win seat in Franklin if bid for state Liberal preselection successful
Conservative warrior Eric Abetz is likely to win a seat in state parliament if his bid for Liberal preselection in Franklin is successful, according to political experts.
Tasmania
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Former Liberal senator Eric Abetz has been tipped to win one of seven seats in Franklin if his bid for state preselection is successful – but the Opposition has warned that the former federal minister’s conservative brand of politics won’t appeal to the “centrist” electorate.
Mr Abetz exclusively revealed to the Sunday Tasmanian that he would seek the endorsement of Liberal Party members to run as a candidate in the Southern electorate at the next state election, with nominations for preselection set to close on January 8.
“The drive and determination to serve and make a positive difference for our fellow Tasmanians remains as strong as ever,” he said.
The next state election is not due until 2025 but speculation is rife that Tasmania could be sent to the polls this year.
Franklin incorporates the municipality of Kingborough, the Eastern Shore of Hobart, the Huon Valley and Channel region, as well as the far South of the state.
Mr Abetz, 65, is known for his right-wing social views and was a leading opponent of same-sex marriage.
He lost his seat in 2022 after being relegated to the third spot on the Liberal Party’s Tasmanian Senate ticket, ending a 28-year career in Canberra, which saw him rise to the rank of Cabinet minister in the Howard and Abbott governments, as well as serve as Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Despite disagreeing with the label, Mr Abetz is often described as a powerbroker within the Tasmanian branch of the Liberal Party and he has been critical of the party’s direction at the state level.
Labor MLC Luke Edmunds said he wished Mr Abetz “all the best as a candidate” but said it was up to the voters in Franklin to decide “whether [his] attitudes will actually take Tasmania forwards or take us backwards”.
Mr Abetz would be “absolutely a contender” to win a seat in Franklin if he was preselected, according to Mr Edmunds. However, he said the veteran politician’s presence on the ticket could also displease some Liberal voters.
“I live in Franklin and we’re a pretty centrist sort of electorate,” Mr Edmunds said.
The Liberals received 42 per cent of the primary vote in Franklin at the 2021 election, suffering a six per cent swing against them.
Political analyst Richard Herr said Mr Abetz had “fair prospects” of picking up a seat and that it was likely he aspired to be the Liberal leader.
“[It depends] on how successful Eric is,” Professor Herr said.
“If he were to replicate [former Liberal premier] Will Hodgman’s success with his personal vote, he would have a very strong claim [to the leadership].”
Franklin Liberal MP Nic Street, a leading moderate within the party, said it was “terrific” to have someone with Mr Abetz’s experience seeking preselection.
“There are people with more moderate views [in the party] and there are people with more conservative views,” he said.
“What is important is that everybody who’s going to be on that ballot supports Jeremy Rockliff as Premier going forward and knows that a Liberal government is the best thing for Tasmania going forward.”
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