Liberal MLC Jane Howlett changes course in bid to secure crucial seat for majority government

Jane Howlett confirms she wants to switch seats in parliament, while Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he has ‘no interest in the past’ when asked about ‘JackJumpers allegations’.

Tasmanian Liberal candidate for Lyons, Jane Howlett with her father Colin Howlett OAM at their family property near Richmond. Picture: Linda Higginson

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has refused to be drawn on Labor suggestions that former Sports Minister Jane Howlett is being investigated by the Integrity Commission.

Ms Howlett, the member for Prosser in the Legislative Council, confirmed on Friday she would run for Lyons at the election to try to secure majority government for the Liberals.

Labor’s economic development spokesman Dean Winter said Mr Rockliff and Ms Howlett needed to answer questions about “JackJumpers allegations”.

“As Sports Minister, Jane Howlett was responsible for overseeing many of the arrangements between the Tasmanian government and the establishment of the JackJumpers, which included the allocation of millions of dollars of taxpayer money,” he said.

“The allegation is that she was in a close, personal relationship with the CEO of the JackJumpers, Simon Brookhouse at the time.

“Is Ms Howlett the government member subject of Integrity Commission Investigation ‘Loyeta’ regarding a failure to declare a conflict of interest and a misuse of information, as has previously been speculated in the media?”

Asked specifically about an Integrity Commission inquiry Mr Rockliff, who was with Ms Howlett at the Bushy Park Show, said he was not interested in the past and that Ms Howlett had been a hard worker for Prosser and he was sure she would do “extraordinarily well” in Lyons.

Jeremy Rockliff and Jane Howlett on the election campaign at the Bushy Park Show.

“The past is the past,” he said.

“What I’m focused on is the future and ensuring we can restore stability and certainty to the Tasmanian parliament.”

Ms Howlett did not directly answer questions about suggestions she was being investigated.

“My focus is on moving forward,” she said.

“Today is a very harsh day for my family. Today is two years since my brother passed away.

“I’m looking forward to getting into my campaign and focusing on delivering a majority Rockliff government for Tasmanians and I’ll be out working hard every single day for that to occur.”

The Liberal Party will meet on Sunday to finalise its candidates.

Mr Rockliff is not worried that some candidates will have only a short time to campaign.

“We have a strong line up of candidates in every single electorate,” he said.

“Of course people putting themselves forward already have very strong credentials within their community and I’m absolutely certain that all pre-selected candidates will be out and about in their local communities, like Jane is out and about today.”

Ms Howlett resigned from cabinet two years ago.

Jane Howlett changes course in attempt to secure crucial seat

A member of Tasmania’s Legislative Council and former government minister, Jane Howlett, will run for Lyons at the election to try to bolster the Liberals’ chances of winning majority government.

After months of speculation, the member for Prosser confirmed to the Mercury on Friday she had nominated for Liberal pre-selection for Lyons which will be decided on Sunday.

Once described by former Premier Peter Gutwein as “the best sports minister in Tasmania’s history” Ms Howlett, who has contested Lyons before, said she had made the decision to nominate for “one reason and one reason only – to help secure the re-election of a Rockliff majority Liberal Government”.

Premier Peter Gutwein with Minister for Sport Jane Howlett. Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein at Blundstone Arena in relation to Hobart securing an Ashes Test. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It’s no secret that Lyons will be a crucial seat this election and I believe my record of achievement, particularly in its southern communities, will help the Liberal team to win four seats in Lyons,” Ms Howlett said.

“I have loved representing the people of Prosser since 2018 but the good news is, the electorate of Prosser is fully incorporated within the electorate of Lyons.

“So if I’m fortunate enough to earn the trust of Liberal pre-selectors and the voters of Lyons, I’ll still be representing these people, but in the House of Assembly instead.

“Party rules preclude me from making further comment at this time.”

Ms Howlett fought off 12 other candidates to win Prosser in 2018 and after the distribution of preferences won by 1000 votes.

Pundits expect her to win a seat in Lyons but if she is unsuccessful she could nominate for the seat of Prosser which goes to the polls on May 4.

Tasmanian Liberal candidate for Lyons, Jane Howlett at her family property near Richmond. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ms Howlett has had signs up in her electorate for months and is well known in the sprawling rural electorate. She grew up at Richmond, went to school and was married at Campania and her father was mayor of the Southern Midlands Council.

Mr Rockliff described her as “an outstanding candidate for Lyons”.

“Like me, she grew up on a farm, it’s in her blood,” he said.

“There’s a certain authenticity, strong sense of community, and a get-the-job done attitude that’s bred into us – and Jane has these qualities in spades.

“She’s worked hard for her electorate of Prosser, and to have her representing Lyons will be an enormous asset for my team.”

Ms Howlett has held the portfolios of sport, racing, women, small business, disability services and hospitality and events.

She was embroiled in controversy after rumours of a conflict of interest due to her close personal relationship with JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse during her time as Sports and Recreation Minister.

In 2022, Ms Howlett resigned for personal reasons from cabinet a week after being sworn into new portfolios on the day her brother died.