Chances slim of joint Senate ticket

TASMANIAN Liberal powerbroker Eric Abetz has confirmed a joint Coalition Senate ticket is unlikely at the next election in the wake of independent Senator Steve Martin joining the Nationals.

Senator Abetz said yesterday it was his anticipation that separate Liberal and National Senate tickets would be run in Tasmania.

“It will be respectful and healthy competition but a very strong exchange of preferences,” Senator Abetz said on Sky News, after the Mercury’s exclusive report yesterday.

Senator Abetz said he believed that those voting No. 1 for the L ibera ls would vote 2 National, and vice versa.

Senator Martin was clear about his intentions.

“I expect to run No. 1 on the National ticket for Tasmania, being the one and only National senator for Tasmania,” he said.

Liberal president Geoff Page revealed the Tasmania Liberals had not known Senator Martin was being courted by the Nationals.

On the prospect of a joint ticket, Mr Page said: “I am not ruling anything in or out but there has been no case made to me for there to be a joint ticket.

“As far as we are concerned we will just be carrying on as usual. We will have discussion about things such as joint tickets but I am in no position to comment about what decision the management team would take. At this stage it is not front of mind at all.

“It could be said the Nationals have not performed well in Tasmania previously.”

Senator Martin’s move came just weeks after he had joined Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann at funding announcements worth $35 million on the North-West Coast.

The Liberals are hoping to capture three seats at the next half Senate election, thereby increasing total Senate numbers to six, after a Senate recount promoted Senators Jonathon Duniam and David Bushby into six-year terms.

Senator Richard Colbeck is up for re-election and the party is expected to preselect at least one woman, possibly former young Liberal Claire Chandler, in a winnable position.