Sorell Mayor and Swansea businessman Kerry Vincent will stand for the Liberal Party at next month’s Upper House election for Prosser.
The long-standing and popular mayor will be one of at least five candidates contesting the seat, vacated by former Liberal MLC Jane Howlett.
Well known Tasman identity and former mayor Kelly Spaulding will also run, along with former Labor leader Bryan Green, farmer Gregory Brown and retired UTAS Professor Pam Sharpe.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Kelly Spaulding, Bryan Green, Gregory Brown and Professor Pam Sharpe.
Mr Vincent said he chose to run as a Liberal to continue “the strong track record of delivery for Southern Tasmania under Jane Howlett and the Liberals’’.
“Jane Howlett proved how a strong local member in Government can deliver real outcomes for the electorate. By contrast, an independent can only talk about problems and wait for someone else to solve them.’’
Mr Vincent has been mayor for the past 12 years. “If given the opportunity to represent the people of Prosser in the Legislative Council, I will get on with delivering the investment, services and infrastructure rural and regional Tasmanians need and deserve,’’ he said.
“I have always been driven by my passion and vision for regional areas of Southern Tasmania. My involvement with the development of the highly accepted Regional Jobs Hubs and the benefits they bring to both our youth and reskilling mature aged residents is certainly a vision I wish to continue to expand on.
“Education and traffic issues are of major interest to me and I believe solutions can be developed in the short and long term to resolve these concerns.
“Prosser covers large areas of farming land as well as expanding regional population centres so it is vital we have more investment to secure, reliable and affordable water for residential and irrigational purposes.
“My business background covers most of the Prosser electorate and has provided me with the understanding of how vital regional businesses are in supporting jobs and economic growth across our great State.
“I look forward to taking the next step in my public life and talking to the people of Prosser about how I plan to represent them.”
Mr Spaulding stood for Prosser six years ago and later was elected Tasman mayor. He said his priorities were improving road maintenance, increased funding for hospitals and education, and transport, including the expansion of the Derwent ferry service to Nubeena.
Mr Spaulding, who with his partner owns Lucky Ducks restaurant at Nubeena said he understood the demands of small business, farming and the tourism and aquaculture sectors. He supported the Upper House being independent.
“I think it’s important to keep the House independent. The Lower Houe is for party politics,’’ Mr Spaulding said.
“An independent can represent constituents fully.’’
He fully supported the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL team and a new stadium.
“People often say why are our young people leaving, well a stadium will help give young people a reason to stay.’’
Farmer and hotelier Gregory Brown who previously stood for the Liberal Party in Lyons, said he had quit the party.
“As an independent politician, I am committed to giving my all to make a difference,’’ Mr Brown said.
“I want to listen and work hard to address the issues at hand. To improve cost of living, we also need to plan infrastructure for the future and provide more housing for the future by freeing up land outside cities.
“We must also address anti-social behavior and hooning by fostering respect between police and young people.’’
Former Utas Professor Pam Sharpe, who was a vocal opponent of the university moving into the city, said she had the skills to analyse complex material and come to evidence-based solutions.
“People are obviously concerned about cost of living, homelessness, lack of doctors and ambulance ramping,’’ Prof Sharpe said.
“Many join me in being really concerned about low educational attainment in Tasmania. Like many, while supportive of the Tasmania Devils, I feel an AFL Stadium is a luxury we cannot afford at this time.
“Fish farming and old growth logging threaten our environmental future and create Tasmanian dependency on global and mainland corporates.’’
Former Tasmanian deputy premier Mr Green said he was motivated to put his hand because he wanted to make a difference on the key issues of cost of living, health and housing. The election will be held on Saturday May 4.