Nelson field jostles for profile

AN increasingly crowded field in the Legislative Council seat of Nelson will have candidates battling for profile, a leading polling analyst says.

Seven candidates have so far announced they will run for the seat being vacated by retiring independent Legislative Council President Jim Wilkinson.

This week, Wilderness Society stalwart Vica Bayley, Mercury cartoonist John “Polly” Farmer and Anglicare anti-pokies campaigner Meg Webb announced they would run as independents, while the Greens announced their candidate Deborah Brewer.

They joined previously announced independent candidates Labor MP Madeleine Ogilvie, Civil Liberties Australia Tasmania director Richard Griggs and football identity Blair Brownless.

The Liberal Party is yet to announce a candidate but will today advertise for expressions of interest.

Polling analyst Kevin Bonham said vacant Legislative Council seats typically attract- ed a large field. He said candidates that could get a “decent primary vote” would have an advantage. “Profile is going to be a big thing,” he said.

Dr Bonham said candidates who have won the seat have had conservative leanings, and he expects this to continue.

Legislative Council elections will be held in May, when a federal election is also expected. Dr Bonham said this would be a factor.

“It’s going to be hard for candidates to get attention so that’s going to place a premium on being a known name.”