2011 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election explained

Country:Tasmania
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Election Date:7 May 2011
Previous Election:2010 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election
Previous Year:2010
Next Election:2012 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election
Next Year:2012
Seats For Election:4 of the 15 seats in the Legislative Council
Majority Seats:8
Party1:Independent politician
Seats Before1:2
Seats1:3
Seat Change1: 1
Party2:Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)
Seats Before2:2
Seats2:1
Seat Change2: 1

Periodic elections for the Tasmanian Legislative Council were held on 7 May 2011. The three seats up for election were Launceston, held by retiring independent MLC Don Wing; Murchison, held by independent MLC Ruth Forrest; and Rumney, held by Labor MLC Lin Thorp. These seats were last contested in 2005.

On the same day, a by-election was held for the seat of Derwent following the resignation of Labor MLC Michael Aird. Derwent was last contested in 2009.

Launceston

The seat of Launceston, previously known as Paterson, had been held by Don Wing since 1982; the last time the seat was up for election, Wing was re-elected unopposed. His retirement left the seat vacant. One of the stronger Liberal areas in Tasmania, that party selected Sam McQuestin, the state party president, as their candidate.[1] [2] The Labor Party selected Steve Bishop, while Launceston Alderman Rosemary Armitage and businesswoman Lou Clark were independent candidates.[3]

Launceston Results

Murchison

Sitting independent MLC Ruth Forrest was the sole nominee for the election in Murchison, which she had held since 2005. She was thus declared re-elected unopposed.

Murchison Results

Rumney

Rumney had been held since 1999 by Labor MLC and Children's Services Minister Lin Thorp, who was elected in 2005 with a primary vote majority. The only party to preselect an opponent was the Greens, who nominated schoolteacher Penelope Ann; however, Tony Mulder, an independent candidate, was a past candidate for the Liberal Party. Other independents included former Children's Commissioner Paul Mason, former Labor member Cate Clark, and business analyst and serial candidate John Forster.[4]

Rumney Results

Derwent by-election

Labor MLC and Treasurer Michael Aird had held the seat of Derwent since 1995, and the seat had been in Labor hands since 1979. Aird announced his retirement on 9 November 2010 and formally resigned from the Legislative Council on 6 December 2010. As his replacement, Labor preselected Craig Farrell, the Deputy Mayor of Derwent Valley Council. The Greens selected Phillip Bingley, while independent candidates included retailer Ray Williams, Glenorchy Alderman Jenny Branch (a former Liberal Party candidate), and Central Highlands Councillor Deirdre Flint.[4]

Derwent Results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liberals eye Launceston seat. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 May 2010. 19 May 2012.
  2. Web site: Libs' president vies for Upper House. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 July 2010. 19 May 2012.
  3. Web site: Experts predict close finish in Upper House poll. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 April 2011. 19 May 2012.
  4. Web site: Upper House candidates finalised. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 April 2011. 19 May 2012.