The Tasmanian Nationals have today presented their initial slate of candidates for the upcoming state election, declaring that their priority, should they gain influence, will be to halt the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project.
The party’s lineup includes former Liberal MHA John Tucker alongside sitting MHAs Andrew Jenner (both for Lyons) and Miriam Beswick (Braddon), signalling a unified front against the proposed multi-purpose stadium. Also standing for the seat of Bass are Carl Cooper and Angela Armstrong.
The Nationals claim their strong stance on the stadium, coupled with their focus on core services and fiscal responsibility, sets a clear agenda as Tasmania heads towards its state election.
Their statement is reproduced below.
Media release – National Party of Tasmania, 24 June 2025
Bench the Stadium – Nationals announce team of prominent local candidates to oppose Macquarie Point Stadium plan
The Tasmanian Nationals have given voters a first look at their team of candidates for the state election, with the party pledging to use its numbers to force a rethink of plans for a new stadium at Macquarie Point.
The lineup includes former Lyons MP John Tucker, who left the Liberal Party in protest against the government’s handling of the stadium and Marinus Link, alongside sitting MPs Miriam Beswick (Braddon) and Andrew Jenner (Lyons).
Mr Tucker said that he had joined The Nationals because they were only mainstream party prepared to take a stand against the stadium proposal.
“The major parties aren’t listening to the hundreds of thousands of ordinary Tasmanians who recognise that Macquarie Point stadium is a bad deal for the state,” Mr Tucker said.
“A vote for The Nationals will help get the government’s priorities straight. “As a condition of our support, we’ll make sure that the government takes the stadium goes back to the drawing board and refocuses on basic services and balancing the state budget.”
The Nationals will stand candidates in at least three Divisions: Bass, Lyons and Braddon.
Andrew Jenner said that whilst the candidates hailed from diverse backgrounds – including former members of the Liberal Party and the Jacqui Lambie movement – the new team all had strong resumes outside of the state parliament bubble and shared a profound dissatisfaction with the way politics had been run in Tasmania.
“We’ve got the right kind of experience: all of us have established careers outside politics and worked to improve our communities,” Mr Jenner said.
“Most importantly, those of us who have already been elected to parliament have a track record of putting our local communities first – ahead of party politics and even our own careers.”
Miriam Beswick said that the Nationals were a genuine alternative to the major parties.
“Most Tasmanians want to put the brakes on the stadium plan before it’s too late,” Ms Beswick said.
“We’ll be a strong voice for those people, but we’re more than just a party of protest.
“This team has the experience and the energy to be a constructive and stabilising influence in the parliament, and we’re ready to get to work.”
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