Crotty for Pembroke

LINDSAY TUFFIN

HOBART lawyer James Crotty will stand as an independent for the seat of Pembroke in the Legislative Council election on 1st August 2009 — throwing down the gauntlet to the recently Liberal-endorsed candidate Vanessa Goodwin. Mr Crotty today ended speculation saying: “Tasmanian governance desperately needs renewal. Playing politics and blame games is not good governance. Voters are cynical, besieged daily by headlines highlighting further economic and social challenges.

“I want to make a difference. I have always been a social democrat, Labor-inclined and was deeply influenced and assisted by the politics of inclusion of Gough Whitlam. I stand for promoting our aspirations to become achieveable through education, employment and social equity. That is something I am proud of.

“I am disappointed I could not convince my party to endorse me as a candidate. That is why I am standing as an independent.

“Today I am a business professional. I have run a successful legal practice for 25 years. Forty years ago I was a migrant kid reliant on our government to give me an opportunity. It did. Now, I want to contribute to public life, to try to put something back and make a difference.

“I am committed to better education and health services. I oppose the wholesale destruction of Tasmania’s environment and believe forestry policy should be reviewed. I am against the Tarkine Rd and would spend that money promoting small business, the real employers and wealth creators in Tasmania.”

Crotty’s nomination ensures the Pembroke contest will be a cracker, with the Liberals risking Labor accusations of party-politicising the Legislative Council — hypocritical considering the Labor bottoms occupying the plush seats (Aird, Thorpe) — and the Greens nominating a yet-unnamed candidate: Greens to contest Pembroke

Dr Kevin Bonham:
The intriguing Goodwin move
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
Goodwin: Liberal for Pembroke
Peter Tucker:
Hodgman stunner
Why there is a contest:
Here