FEATURES
Whither Tasmania First?
The Tasmanian First Party burst onto the Tasmanian political scene in 1996 amid the furore created by the federal governments new gun laws. It attracted a significant following in rural areas of Tasmania and polled well in the 1998 state election, especially in the rural electorate of Lyons where it was able to muster an impressive number of votes. Bit its fortunes since that time have declined. It failed to make a significant impression in the subsequent federal election and has since been embroiled in internal party wrangling. One faction of the party wants it to remain true to its original purpose and concentrate on ammending new gun laws. Another faction wants it to be more broad based with policies on a range issues, thus broadening its appeal to the electorate. Tasmanian First has resisted the tag of 'gun party' suggesting that those working towards a more comprehensive policy platform for the party are currently in the ascendency. But tensions remain. One prominent candidate in the last state election is known to be demanding that the party pay for any future campaign he may run.
Unions on Collision Course with Bacon Government
Tasmanian unions are angry with the State government. The departing head of a major union has publically criticised the government for its attitude towards industrial relations reform , saying it has buckled to pressure from business groups. At the heart of the dispute is the issue of unfair dismissals, part of contentious industrial relations reform. The Governments industrial relations legislation, which has had a roller coaster ride in the parliament, puts the onus on employees to demonstrate that they have been unfairly dismissed. The Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council says that the legislation will be a major disappointment to Tasmanian workers and that the Government will need to consult more with the trade union movement.
Adding to Governments woes are the Tasmanian Teachers Federation who accuse Jim Bacon of not honoring pre election committments regarding wages. The Governments public stoush with these unions is an embarrassment for the Premier, Jim Bacon and his deputy, Paul Lennon, both of whom have their roots in the union movement. In the case of Lennon, a former secretary of the Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council, the embarrassment is compounded by being at odds with his former employer. The Spectator understands that there is a fair amount of tension within the Government over the issue and in the labour movement overall.
Guessing Game in Local Preselections
John Howards withdrawal from presiding over the opening of the Olympic games is unlikely to deter him from serious consideration of an early election in November 2000. The decision will hinge on a number of key factors including public acceptance of the controversial goods and services tax and the 2000 budget. As yet no candidates for the next federal election have been announced by the Liberal, National, Green, Democrat, One Nation or Tasmania First parties.. All five current House of Representative members from the Labor party were endorsed at their most recent state conference, together with the Senate team of McKay, Sherry and Bilyk. Of the five House of Representative seats in Tasmania most interest will be on Bass and Franklin. Bass is one of the most marginal seats in the nation and with the departure of Warwick Smith from Tasmania the Liberal Party will have to find a fresh candidate to combat the incumbent Michelle O'Byrne. In Franklin, former Rundle government Minister Peter Hodgeman has expressed his interest in the seat and will pose a significant threat to Labor's Harry Quick whose margin has been in steady decline since 1993. Braddon will also be interesting if for no other reason to see if the Liberal Party runs former incumbent Chris Miles. An opponent to Miles for Liberal pre selection could be Devonport City Alderman Brett Whitelley or even Devonport Chamber of Commerce president and former Lyons candidate Richard Colebeck. Colebeck has a greater public profile in the district than he does in the huge rural electorate of Lyons where he was trounced by Labors Dick Adams in 1998. A recent redistribution in the Lyons electorate has further cemented the strong position of Adams.
