Vote tipped for MLC seat
THE expected resignation of Liberal member Vanessa Goodwin is likely to prompt a by-election in the Legislative Council division of Pembroke in November.
Ms Goodwin has resigned from Cabinet due to ill health.
Her formal resignation from Parliament is expected to be delivered to Governor Kate Warner on Monday.
Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said he procedures for a byelection required it to be commenced within 40 days of the vacancy.
“The member wishing to resign from the House would provide a formal letter to Her Excellency the Governor to that effect,” he said.
“The Governor would then inform me and direct we hold a by-election.”
The last Upper House byelection was in Pembroke in August 2009, when Ms Goodwin was elected ahead of Greens candidate Wendy Heatley after the departure of Alison Ritchie.
Ms Goodwin was re-elected in 2013. An election in Pembroke was not scheduled until 2019.
Members of the 15-seat Upper House are elected for six-year terms.
Elections are generally held on a roster of three seats in one year, and in two the next.
This year elections were held in Launceston, Murchison and Romney. Next year will be the divisions of Hobart and Prosser.
Premier Will Hodgman said the Liberals would run a candidate to “fill the big shoes” of Vanessa Goodwin.
“The party organisation will make a decision. Needless to say it’s a seat that’s been wellheld by Vanessa Goodwin for some time.
“I would expect the party would move to endorse a candidate as soon as possible to contest the election.”
Labor leader Rebecca White said her party would also stand a candidate.
“We will be looking to run a candidate in every election that occurs between now and the state election and beyond,”
“It’s really important that people have the opportunity to vote for a Labor candidate if there’s an election and we’re looking to find a suitable candidate to put their hand up.”
The Governor will swear in the Government’s new ministry on Monday, Government House said in a statement.