Follow the fortunes of the Legislative Council candidates for Western Tiers and Hobart here. Tasmanian Times’ pre-eminent psephologist Dr Kevin Bonham is planning a comment-by-comment analysis (in Comments) below. And, in keeping with the spirit of the Electoral Act, comments submitted last night on threads relating to today’s poll will not be published until after 6pm this evening.
• GREENS CONGRATULATE PENELOPE ANN ON STRONG HOBART RESULT
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader and Member for Franklin
The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated Greens Upper House candidate Penelope Ann on her strong result and great campaign for the seat of Hobart.
Greens Leader Nick McKim said that the Greens are very pleased to have comfortably out-polled Labor, which confirms the Greens as the party of choice for progressive voters.
“Penelope Ann campaigned really well and has delivered a strong result for the Greens,” said Mr McKim.
“Penelope’s strong and clear position on issues like pokies, the pulp mill and the need to protect Tasmania’s precious forests have resonated with the people of Hobart.”
“Comparisons with the previous election for Hobart need to be treated with caution, not least because the field of candidates was very different, particularly with a popular ex-mayor running this time.”
Mr McKim responded to Opposition Leader Will Hodgman’s desperate attempt to link the result to state issues by pointing out that the Liberals did not even have the courage to run a candidate.
“Mr Hodgman knew the Liberals would have polled poorly, which is why he took the coward’s option of refusing to allow the Liberals to be judged by the electorate of Hobart.”
• Senator Bob Brown:
6 May 2012
Election Advertising
Tasmanian Greens Senator Bob Brown said he donated $300 for yesterday’s Mercury ad for Greens candidate, Penelope Ann.
“I called Penelope and told her I’d make the donation and suggested she place the advertisement on Saturday, which is permissible under the Federal Electoral Act but, we now see, not the state law”, Senator Brown said.
The mistake was inadvertent but ” blame me, not Penelope”, Senator Brown said.
