He's a familiar face to most Tasmanians after a career in federal politics lasting nearly three decades. And now, Liberal Eric Abetz wants to play a part closer to home putting his hand up to run at the next state election.
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00:00 For decades he was a constant in Canberra corridors, but now Eric Abetz is setting his
00:08 sights on local politics.
00:10 Energy levels and the desire to serve have remained with me ever since I left the Senate
00:16 and here is an opportunity to serve the people of Tasmania.
00:20 Eighteen months after he was ousted from the Senate, the 65 year old is seeking party approval
00:26 to run in the southern seat of Franklin, hoping to be elected alongside Nick Street and Dean
00:31 Young in an expanded 35 seat lower house.
00:35 One of the suggestions made to me was that I would provide some greater degree of stability
00:41 to the state parliamentary scene and if that is something that I can contribute that would
00:46 be great.
00:47 Political experts say his profile means he's got a good chance of getting elected, but
00:52 people hold strong views about the conservative Christian who opposed abortion, voluntary
00:57 assisted dying and same sex marriage during his 28 years in the Senate.
01:02 He's always been something of a polarising politician and that is one of the challenges
01:09 he'll face.
01:10 This is a person who talks about taking Tasmania forward but most of his ideals seem to come
01:14 out of the 1950s.
01:16 We are a genuinely broad church, there are people with more moderate views, there are
01:19 people with more conservative views, what is important is that everybody that's going
01:23 to be on that ballot supports Jeremy Rockleaf as Premier going forward.
01:27 The Liberal Party will announce its team and whether Erica Betts is in it by the end of
01:31 the month.
01:32 Both major parties will have the candidates locked in well in advance of the May 2025
01:37 election.
01:38 With independent MP John Tucker threatening to bring the minority government down, it's
01:42 possible Tasmanians could be sent to the polls much earlier than that.
01:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]