Cox confirms tilt at Denison for Labor

FORMER ABC broadcaster Tim Cox has confirmed he is seeking preselection to run for Labor in Denison at the state election.

Mr Cox, 50, joined the party after a long career in broadcasting in Tasmania and interstate.

His most recent role was news director at Tasmanian Broadcasters, a job he left recently to seek preselection.

“I’ve never felt a working journalist should be part of a political party,” he said.

Mr Cox said he has never been a member of a political party before but was inspired to join Labor in part because of the leadership of Rebecca White.

“I think Bec’s leadership of Labor and the way she has got Labor going is something that really speaks to me,’’ he said.

“I think she’s a really impressive individual.

“I’m not interested in the politics, I really want to get in there and see if I can make the community a better place.”

The party will set itself on an election footing tomorrow when it unveils its full line-up of candidates.

Rank-and-file Labor mem- bers and MPs will descend on George Town this weekend for the party’s state conference, the last before a state election due by March.

A steady stream of potential candidates have been revealing themselves with Labor’s fortunes expected to improve at the election following a crushing defeat in 2014.

Former premier Lara Giddings and veteran MP David Llewellyn will bow out at the election and former leader Bryan Green quit in March to allow Ms White to become leader.

Names already announced to contest the state election include Franklin candidates former minister David O’Byrne, Australian Workers’ Union organiser Kevin Midson and former Smith Family chief executive Alison Standen.

Northern Midlands councillor and Brian Mitchell staffer Janet Lambert is making a bid for Lyons.

University of Tasmania Cradle Coast campus general manager Danielle Kidd has been confirmed as a candidate in Braddon.

Branch motions to be debated at the conference include a treaty with Tasmanian Aborigines, changing the date of Australia Day, rules on conscience votes in parliament, recognising a Palestinian state and opt-out organ donation.