2008 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election

Periodic elections for the Tasmanian Legislative Council were held on 3 May 2008. The two seats up for election were Huon, held by independent MLC Paul Harriss, and Rosevears, held by independent MLC Kerry Finch. These seats were last contested in 2002.

Huon

Independent MLC Paul Harriss had held Huon since 1996. A former Liberal Party member, there was speculation about his endorsement as a federal Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Franklin in the 2007 federal election, but this did not eventuate.[1] His only opponent was Huon Valley councillor Mark Rickards, an endorsed candidate of the Tasmanian Greens, who focused his campaign on Harriss's support for the Gunns pulp mill.[2]

Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic elections, 2008: Huon[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Paul Harriss 12,149 62.04 +12.61
Greens Mark Rickards 7,435 37.96 +37.96
Total formal votes 19,584 96.32 -1.31
Informal votes 748 4.68 +1.31
Turnout 20,332 82.86 -4.75
Independent hold Swing

Rosevears

Independent MLC Kerry Finch first won Rosevears in 2002, when it was a new seat.[1] He was not opposed by the Tasmanian Greens, which was attributed to his opposition to the Gunns pulp mill and his generally socially liberal views. Like Harriss, he attracted only one challenger, in this case independent Colin O'Brien. O'Brien gave qualified support to the pulp mill.[2]

Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic elections, 2008: Rosevears[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Kerry Finch 12,990 72.66 +45.43
Independent Colin O'Brien 4,889 27.34 +27.34
Total formal votes 17,879 95.30 -0.75
Informal votes 881 4.70 +0.75
Turnout 18,760 80.16 -5.97
Independent hold Swing+21.87

References
  1. Tucker, Peter; Bonham, Kevin (17 March 2008). "A little bit of Harriss and Finch". Tasmanian Times. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  2. Tucker, Peter; Bonham, Kevin (2 May 2008). "Harriss and Finch, Part 2". Tasmanian Times. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  3. "Division of Huon". 2008 Legislative Council election results. Tasmanian Electoral Commission. 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  4. "Division of Rosevears". 2008 Legislative Council election results. Tasmanian Electoral Commission. 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
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