Giddings endorses former charity chief
FORMER premier Lara Giddings says she hopes her exit from politics will make way for Labor renewal, and is putting her support behind a first-time candidate in Franklin.
Former Smith Family general manager Alison Standen will throw her hat in the ring for Labor with a ringing endorsement from Ms Giddings.
Ms Standen will join former minister David O’Byrne and Australian Workers’ Union organiser Kevin Midson on the Labor ticket, with remaining candidates yet to be named.
Labor has high hopes of winning back at least a second seat in Franklin after losing Mr O’Byrne in the massive swing to the Liberals in 2014.
A member of the Labor Party for 10 years, Ms Standen said she decided to run after being encouraged by Ms Giddings and former Michael Field government minister Fran Bladel.
“It felt the time is right for me. I have a lot of experience from a government and community background,” she said.
The 49-year-old Bellerive resident said she would campaign on issues including health, education and jobs, and was particularly interested in preventive health given her background as a dietitian and her work with the Smith Family.
“As an allied health professional, I saw the difference that preventive health can make to giving our children the best start in life,” she said.
Ms Giddings said she had “not one ounce of regret” since announcing her retirement last month. “It feels like it’s the right time for me to step away and let people like Alison have a go,” she said.
“I will miss it ... but since I’ve made my decision I have had not one ounce of regret or thinking I have done the wrong thing.”
As Labor gets its ducks in a row for a state election, more candidates have begun announcing their intentions.
Former Labor government adviser Ella Haddad has been confirmed for Denison, where Labor has sitting MPs Scott Bacon and Madeleine Ogilvie.
The party has been unwilling to confirm it is parachuting former ABC breakfast radio host Tim Cox into Denison.
The move has been viewed by some as a bid by the dominant Left to oust Ms Ogilvie, who is from the Right faction.
Northern Midlands councillor and Brian Mitchell staffer Janet Lambert is making a bid for Lyons, where David Llewellyn is retiring.
In Braddon, University of Tasmania Cradle Coast campus general manager Danielle Kidd has been confirmed as a candidate.
The full line-up is due to be announced at the ALP’s state conference next weekend.
“We are surprised and disappointed with the decision,” Save the Tarkine campaign co-ordinator Scott Jordan said, adding the group remains opposed to Venture Minerals’ plans.
The Government welcomed the decision. “Mining is a vital sector of our economy and the opportunity for further development and jobs should be supported,” Resources Minister Guy Barnett said.
Scott Jordan