Kingborough deputy mayor Clare Glade-Wright launches her state government campaign
As a cloud of uncertainty hangs over parliament, a Tasmanian deputy mayor has hard-launched her bid for a seat, should an election be called. Details.
Tasmania
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As talk turns to the possibility of an early state election, the deputy mayor of Kingborough Council has been one of the first to hard-launch her campaign, announcing she’ll run for Franklin.
Clare Grade-Wright was elected to council in 2021 during a by-election and then re-elected last year’s local government elections.
Ms Glade-Wright, who is running as an independent, said she wouldn’t be surprised if an election was called earlier than expected because of the current situation with the Tasmanian Liberals.
Tasmanians are not due to head to the polls until 2025.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, so I don’t know when an election will be called but I’m certainly ready whenever that may be,” Ms Glade-Wright said.
“It certainly feels like an early election may be on the cards.”
Ms Glade-Wright said she had been quietly campaigning before the Tasmanian Liberal Party’s recent fallout with Elise Archer.
“I’ve been softly campaigning for quite a few months now,” she said.
“I think it definitely is time for Tasmania to have the opportunity to elect a fresh parliament.”
The deputy mayor said she hoped to achieve more if she were elected to parliament.
“I’m limited in what I can achieve in local government,” she said.
“It’s like a natural progression that I’d run for state parliament now.
“A lot of the issues I’m learning really matter to my community are things like housing … improved public transport, emergency services hub, urgent care centres … those need to be addressed at a state level.”
She said more voters were opting for independent candidates.
“I do think there is an appetite for independence, it can offer a fresh way of doing politics,” she said.
“They can have a more collaborative approach, they don’t have to tow a party line, I’ll be able to vote according to my community.”
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