By-Election Looms In Denison As Kerr Quits
December 18, 2001
There will be a by-election in the Tasmanian electorate of Denison, possibly as early as March or April next year, following the announcement today by the sitting Labor member, Duncan Kerr, that he is to make an attempt to enter State politics.
The Tasmanian State election is due in the second half of 2002, but there has been widespread speculation that the Premier, Jim Bacon, may go to the people in March.
Kerr was the Minister for Justice under Prime Minister Paul Keating between 1993-96. He has been Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs and Shadow Minister for the Arts over the past three years, but failed to be elected to the shadow ministry following the recent elections.
Denison - Federal
Kerr has held Denison since 1987. At the November 10, 2001 election he polled 51.38% of the primary vote and 64.26% of the two-party-preferred vote. There was a swing of 0.25% against him, compared to the 1998 result.
Since the election, Kerr has been a vocal critic of the ALP's stance on refugees and asylum-seekers.
The federal electorate of Denison is based on Hobart, but extends north to Glenorchy and Claremont, south to Sandy Bay and Mt. Nelson, and west to Newtown. It has regularly switched from Labor to non-Labor since it was created in 1903.
The ALP's John Coates lost it in the anti-Labor landslide of 1975, when the Liberal Party won all 5 Tasmanian seats. It was 12 years before Kerr wrested Denison back from Michael Hodgman (himself newly-appointed to State Parliament on a countback following a resignation), and another 6 years before Labor won more seats in Tasmania.
Denison - State
Kerr will contest pre-selection for the State seat of Denison which covers the same area as the federal seat. There are 5 members elected by the Hare-Clark system of proportional voting.
The current ALP members for Denison are the Premier, Jim Bacon, and the Health Minister, Judy Jackson. Kerr's entry into the race, presumably with the support of Bacon, is probably aimed at removing Jackson.
The Liberal Party's members in Denison are the Opposition Leader, Bob Cheek, and Michael Hodgman. The prominent "small-l" Liberal, Greg Barns, the former head of the Republican movement, has secured endorsement and poses a threat to Hodgman's re-election.
The fifth member for Denison is Peg Putt from the Tasmanian Greens.
The number of high profile candidates contesting Denison next year will ensure that the electorate will be the focus of a tough and bitter contest.
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