Hobart councillor and paramedic Ryan Posselt nominates for Labor at next state election

A Hobart councillor and paramedic, who wants to use his experience to “fix a worsening health system”, is seeking Labor Party pre-selection for the seat of Clark at the next state election.

City of Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt will run for Labor in the seat of Clark at the next state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Hobart councillor and paramedic, who wants to use his experience to “fix a worsening health system”, is seeking Labor Party pre-selection for the seat of Clark at the next state election.

Ryan Posselt, 36, who was elected to the Hobart City Council just last year on his first attempt, said his decision to nominate “was not taken lightly”.

“I have two children under four and I’m certain that success will mean family sacrifice,” Mr Posselt said.

“However, I nominated because I believe I can be part of building a better future for all Tasmanians, not least my own children.

“As a councillor, I have discovered that so many of the keys to local government success are held by the state government.

“A case in point is the government’s abject failure to deal with the growing issue of short stay accommodation taking the place of long term rentals in the midst of a housing crisis.”

Ryan with wife Dr Bronwyn Posselt and children Reuben 1 and Emerson 3. City of Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt will run for Labor in the seat of Clark at the next state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Posselt, who moved to Hobart from NSW nearly a decade ago, has been a nurse and paramedic for 14 years and since 2014 has worked from the Glenorchy and Claremont ambulance stations.

“During this time the challenges within the health system have only worsened,” he said.

“Worse ambulance response times, worse access to GPs, longer waiting times to see a specialist and ever worsening bed block and ambulance ramping.

“I run for State Parliament to be a part of the solution, to use all of my expertise, experience and empathy to fix a broken system - not only for the sake of its patients, but also for the people it employs.”

Mr Posselt, whose son was diagnosed with a chronic health condition six months ago, said he and his wife, an anaesthetist, had difficulty accessing outpatient pediatric services.

City of Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt will run for Labor in the seat of Clark at the next state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I recognise that in the long term healthcare outcomes are effected by social outcomes and that’s why I’m passionate about equality and fairness,” he said.

Mr Posselt said Labor leader Rebecca White provided “a steady hand when compared to the chaos of the current Liberal Government”.

He is confident Labor, which only holds one seat in Clark, can pick up three seats in the expanded 35-seat House of Assembly.

On the vexed question of former leader David O’Byrne running as an ALP candidate he said that was up the national executive and he would support their decision.

“I’m willing to work with anyone who shares my values and beliefs to build a better future for Tasmania,” Mr Posselt said.

“An election can’t come soon enough for the benefit of all Tasmanians.”