Failed Lib duo’s Upper House bid

TWO unsuccessful Liberal candidates will throw their hats into the ring for Legislative Council elections in May.

Simon Behrakis, who stood for Denison, and Lyons’ candidate Jane Howlett have been endorsed by the Liberal Party as candidates for the electorates of Hobart and Prosser.

Behrakis will try to usurp incumbent MLC Rob Valentine in Hobart while Ms Howlett is aiming for the newly created electorate of Prosser, which spans from Nubeena to Campbell Town.

The Liberals only have Leonie Hiscutt in the Upper House and blame the four Labor MLCs on the 15-seat council for leading an obstructionist bloc on key legislation.

Ms Howlett — who won the fifth highest number of primary votes in Lyons in the State Election — said the Government had just been re-elec- ted with a strong mandate to deliver its plan for continued economic growth and more jobs, and it was vital to win Prosser to help deliver that.

“A Labor victory would mean a block of five in the Upper House stopping us from delivering our plan.

Former Glenorchy City Council alderman Steve Mav, who ran as an independent in last year’s Rumney race, has already announced his candidacy for the new seat.

Mr Behrakis — a staffer for Eric Abetz — is also up against independent Richard Griggs and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate Brendon Hext, who stood in Franklin at the recent State Election.

Labor and the Greens are yet to announce their candidates for the two electorates, while the Jacqui Lambie Network has not indicated whether it would run candidates for Upper House seats.