Liberal Senator Jonathan Duniam’s push for party figures to join Tasmanian Club

The Tasmanian Club is one of the oldest gentlemen’s clubs in Australia and now a Liberal Senator is pushing for new blood in its membership. Read who wants to join.

Tasmanian Club in Hobart Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Tasmanian senator is pushing to have some senior Liberal figures, including the party’s president, become members of a private Tasmanian gentlemen’s club.

Senator Jonathan Duniam is the proposer for party president Michael McKenna whose occupation is listed as Vice Chancellor and Master of Ceremonies for the (Catholic) Archdiocese of Hobart.

He is also seconding the nomination for membership of the club from Sean Hollick a principal adviser to Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

Senator Duniam also nominated two other men believed to be Liberal Party supporters.

Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam.

The Tasmanian Club, in Macquarie St, Hobart, was embroiled in controversy last year after there was so much outrage to an overwhelming vote to allow women into the bar that the club abandoned plans to change a by-law.

The Sunday Tasmanian has been told 30 members resigned in disgust at the club’s stance on refusing to allow women into the bar but other sources say it was only about five members who resigned.

It is understood that the club now allows women into all parts of its building including the bar.

“The club has also now opened all areas of the building to female guests and regularly has female patrons who either use the dining room or accommodation in their own right as reciprocal members from other clubs,” a member said.

“This is similar to the Queen Mary Club which only allows female members and males may attend as guests of members.”

Tasmanian Club. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Senator Duniam, accused by some of trying to “stack” the Tasmanian Club’s membership declined to comment on his push for new members.

However, it is believed he wants to attract younger members to bring in fresh blood to the club which some say has a largely older membership.

The election of members is confidential and there is a ballot for the poll which closes on February 20.

In a ballot paper, members have the choice of voting for, against or being undecided on a person’s nomination for membership.

As well as listing the proposer and seconder, the ballot paper also lists a section titled “known to” which names people who agree to be listed as knowing the person seeking to join the club.

The annual subscription to the club is believed to be $2150 and for new members there is also an initial joining fee.

Last year members voted 74-22 in favour of changing the by-law to allow women into the club.

The Tasmanian Club was contacted for comment.