Lara Alexander Explained

Lara Alexander
Office:Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Bass
Term Start:25 February 2022
Term End:23 March 2024
Predecessor:Sarah Courtney
Birth Date:1967 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Bucharest, Romania
Party:Independent (2023-2024)
Otherparty:Liberal (until 2023)

Lara Maria Alexander (born 13 July 1967)[1] is an Australian politician. She has been a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the division of Bass since 2022, serving as a member for the Liberal Party before moving to the crossbench as an independent in 2023.

Alexander was born in Romania.[2] She is an accountant and holds a Bachelor of Economic Studies (Honours). She was general manager of Presbyterian Care Tasmania and in 2018 became chief executive officer of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania.[3] She was an unsuccessful Liberal candidate for Bass at the 2021 Tasmanian state election, and complained during the campaign of being prevented from speaking publicly by Liberal Party headquarters.[4] In February 2022 she filled the vacancy caused by Sarah Courtney's resignation, winning a recount of votes.[5]

On 12 May 2023, ABC News reported that Alexander, alongside fellow Liberal John Tucker, would leave the Liberal Party to sit as an independent, in part due to concerns related to the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium project.[6] This left the Liberal party in minority government and requiring 7 seats to reach a majority in the next state election. At the next state election held in March 2024, Alexander lost her seat.[7]

Notes and References

  1. alexander_L_HA_803 . Lara Alexander . 26 July 2022.
  2. News: Bovill . Monte . From low profile MPs to headline grabbers — who are Lara Alexander and John Tucker? . 15 May 2023 . . 13 May 2023.
  3. Web site: Bass - TAS Electorate, Candidates, Results. Green. Antony. Antony Green. 2021. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  4. News: Lara Alexander's Liberal Bass campaign complains of 'complete control' from party in Hobart. Holmes. Adam. 13 April 2021. The Examiner.
  5. Web site: Courtney recount scrutiny sheets. Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
  6. News: Pridham . Bec . Tasmania's Liberal government to be thrown into minority as MPs defect over $715 million AFL stadium in Hobart . 12 May 2023 . . 12 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511234223/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-12/tasmania-liberal-government-in-minority-mps-defect-over-stadium/102333446 . 11 May 2023 . live.
  7. News: Lara Alexander speaks after defeat in Tasmanian election . 6 April 2024 . ABC News . 23 March 2024 . en-AU.