Independent Clare Glade-Wright has been declared elected to the Huon Legislative Council seat, defeating incumbent Dean Harriss after a closely fought campaign and several days of counting following the May 2 poll.
The result, confirmed by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission on May 7, reshapes representation for Kingborough communities within the Huon electorate, including Snug, Kettering, Woodbridge and Bruny Island.
Progressive figures published by the TEC showed Ms Glade-Wright finishing with 11,959 votes after preferences, ahead of Mr Harriss on 10,820 in the six-candidate race.
The commission said the remaining 125 postal votes were “not sufficient to affect the order of exclusion or outcome”.
More than 28,000 electors were enrolled across the Huon division.
The election campaign focused heavily on cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, healthcare access, transport and environmental concerns, with waterways emerging as a key issue throughout the electorate.
Speaking after the result, Ms Glade-Wright said voters were increasingly looking beyond traditional party politics.
“The result reflects what I believe is a shift away from party politics,” she said.
“More people are understanding how a community-minded independent is free from party lines and is able to therefore work harder for them.”
Ms Glade-Wright said many voters wanted stronger accountability and more respectful public debate.
“My message for Kingborough voters is to continue to vote for candidates, and especially in the approaching Kingborough Council elections, who show that they can debate ideas in respectful ways,” she said.
“Take heed of candidates that criticise others, rather than respectfully debating issues. Refraining from toxicity online is a good test of a candidate’s decency.”
She said concerns about waterways, housing and economic management were consistently raised throughout the campaign.
“The voters gave a strong message that they care about the health of the waterways, the need for innovative housing solutions, and the desire for fiscal responsibility,” she said.
As she prepares to take her seat in the Legislative Council, Ms Glade-Wright said one of her immediate priorities would be reconnecting with communities and organisations across the electorate.
“My immediate priorities will be reaching out to all community groups and organisations, opening up the channels of communication,” she said.
Ms Glade-Wright also said her decision-making in the upper house would focus on evidence, expert advice and community values.
“My approach to decision making will always be listening to evidence and experts, and considering what me and my community values, and the public interest test, preventing any undue persuasion,” she said.
She described one of the most memorable moments of the campaign as travelling through rural areas with her children while letterboxing.
“The most memorable moment in the campaign for me was hearing my kids say, ‘this is how you get elected Mum!’ as they were helping me out letterboxing the rural areas by car,” she said.
The Legislative Council acts as Tasmania’s house of review, scrutinising legislation and holding government to account. Members are elected for six-year terms.
The official declaration of the poll took place on Monday, May 11, on the Legislative Council steps at Parliament House in Hobart.
