Wilkie tops ticket, but tough draw for Lyons hopeful

An independent has secured the number one spot on the ballot in Clark in the upcoming federal election — but Labor’s star candidate in Lyons has ended up at the bottom.

Scenes from the Australian Electoral Commission ballot order draw for the seat of Clark.

Independent Andrew Wilkie has secured the number one spot on the ballot in Clark in the upcoming federal election — but Labor’s star candidate in Lyons has ended up at the bottom.

The Australian Electoral Commission on Friday conducted the draws to determine the order candidates will appear on ballot papers.

Unlike Tasmanian state elections — where Robson rotation means candidate order varies — federal elections feature candidates in the same order on every ballot paper.

Securing a higher spot is considered advantageous because of the small but significant number of voters who register a “donkey vote” by numbering straight down the ticket, which can make a difference in a tight contest.

Scenes from the Australian Electoral Commission ballot order draw for the seat of Clark.

Of other major party candidates considered most likely to be in contention, Labor’s Jess Teesdale will appear at the top of the ballot in Bass ahead of Liberal Bridget Archer who is in third spot and Susie Bower in fourth place on the Lyons ballot is ahead of Rebecca White in eighth place.

Labor’s Anne Urquhart is fourth in Braddon, ahead of Liberal Mal Hingston in sixth slot.

Liberal Josh Garvin took the number one slot in Franklin and Labor’s incumbent Julie Collins, who is defending a handy margin, in sixth.

The number of candidates contesting lower house seats is down on the 2022 election, from 44 to 32.

Just five candidates will stand in Clark, down from eight and six in Braddon, down from ten.

There are eight on the ballot paper in Lyons, seven in Bass and six in Franklin.

The order of groups on the Senate ballot paper was also determined on Friday.

Sustainable Australia Party drew the left hand position, followed by the Liberals, Greens in the sixth slots, ALP 11th from left.

Results of the ballot draws were gathered from party volunteers at ballot draws: the Australian Electoral Commission did not immediately release official candidate lists or ballot order results.

There are 411,681 voters registered to vote in Tasmania at this election, 98.7 per cent of the number estimated to be eligible. There are 18,098,797 people on the electoral roll nationwide.

In Tasmania, 9668 18- and 19-year-olds will be voting in their first federal election.

Labor candidates Julie Collins, Heidi Heck and Carol Brown speak to the media at Glenorchy on Friday, April l11, 2025.

Labor’s candidate in Clark, Heidi Heck urged voters to put Labor first.

“A vote for any candidate other than Labor on 3 May is a vote for Peter Dutton and cuts to Medicare,” she said.

“Peter Dutton and the Tasmanian Liberals want to bring American style healthcare to Australia.”

Liberal candidate for Bass Bridget Archer with Liberal candidate for Lyons Susie Bower in Launceston on Friday, April 11, 2025.

A joint statement from Bridget Archer and Susie Bower recommended voters back the Liberals.

“At the end of the first two weeks of the campaign, it’s clear that the Coalition is the only party with a clear, positive plan for Tasmania,” they said.

“In contrast all we are hearing from Labor is negativity and scares, they literally have no plan for Tasmania.”