Abetz rolled out, Liberals unveil Tasmanian candidates

Former senator and conservative Eric Abetz has been officially unveiled as a Liberal candidate as he seeks a political comeback at the Tasmanian election.

The island state will vote on March 23 after the nation’s only Liberal government, which had been in minority for nine months, called an early poll.

Mr Abetz, who served in the senate from 1994 to 2022, was pre-selected in January with political opponents labelling it as a move backwards and to the right.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, considered a left-leaning Liberal, has previously deflected criticism about Mr Abetz’s candidacy.

“I’m excited about the breadth of experience in our team,” Mr Rockliff said at the party’s candidate launch in Launceston on Tuesday.

“We have a very strong and capable team.”

Mr Abetz’s federal career came to a close after he was demoted to a virtually unwinnable position on the Liberal senate ticket.

In 2017, he voted against a bill to legalise same-sex marriage.

The 66-year-old is running in the southern electorate of Franklin alongside former state minister Jacquie Petrusma, who is also aiming for a return after quitting politics in 2022.

Mr Rockliff said his candidate team was representative of Tasmania, even though women made up only one third of it.

Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff unveiled his team of candidates at a hotel. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

Former attorney-general Elise Archer and Liberal-turned-independent Lara Alexander have lashed the party in recent months for having a culture problem.

“We have capable people right across our state and each electorate has people with … life experience,” Mr Rockliff said.

Tasmania’s lower house is increasing from 25 to 35 members at the election, with seven MPs to be elected in each of the five electorates.

Neither Mr Abetz nor Ms Petrusma fronted the media at a press conference at the launch.

Mr Rockliff spoke alongside political rookies, CEO of charity Variety Tasmania Mohammad Aldergham, radio personality Rob Fairs and Burnie deputy mayor Giovanna Simpson.

The Liberals are chasing a fourth successive term but recent opinion polls have indicated it will be difficult for either major party to form majority government.

“What I’m concerned about is getting out there every single day as we have been, delivering thoughtful, costed policy,” Mr Rockliff said.

Labor leader Rebecca White says tackling the cost of living is a priority for the party. (Rob Blakers/AAP PHOTOS)

Labor campaigned in the state’s south on Tuesday, pledging to scrap charges for power connection and disconnection when people move house.

Labor leader Rebecca White said Tasmanians moving to a new house had to pay about $100 to connect the electricity and $64 for a final meter read.

“Labor’s top priority is urgent action on the cost of living,” she said in a statement.

The Liberals have 11 incumbent MPs, while Labor has eight, the Greens two and four independents.

Mr Rockliff called the poll after being unable to resolve a stand-off with Ms Alexander and another crossbench independent.