When 19-year-old Greens candidate Owen Fitzgerald withdrew from the race in Franklin over dual citizenship concerns, it didn’t take long for former Greens leader Bob Brown to find his preferred replacement. Enter Peter George—independent candidate, former ABC journalist, and outspoken critic of Tasmania’s salmon farming industry.
Franklin, a seat held by Labor’s Julie Collins since 2007, is no stranger to political stability. Collins won the 2022 federal election with a 13.7% margin, making it one of the stronger Labor seats in Tasmania. But with Fitzgerald out, and George endorsed by the state’s most recognisable environmentalist, the race has gained a new edge.
George’s campaign has surged in visibility. His stance on aquaculture—particularly on open-net salmon farms—is firm, detailed, and direct. At recent campaign events, George has drawn support from local environmental groups and residents concerned about the health of Tasmania’s waterways. The controversy surrounding mass fish deaths in Storm Bay and heightened scrutiny from the Environment Protection Authority has made aquaculture regulation a central issue in Franklin. George has positioned himself as a candidate who is unencumbered by party compromise and sharply focused on environmental integrity.
That’s where he may now pick up support that would have otherwise gone to the Greens. With Fitzgerald’s name remaining on the ballot but no longer actively campaigning, preference flows are expected to become critical. Bob Brown’s endorsement is likely to boost George’s credibility among environmentally minded voters who now face a more fragmented field.
Julie Collins, meanwhile, remains a formidable figure in the electorate. As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Small Business, she brings both seniority and policy heft. Her record includes investment in regional infrastructure, small business support and efforts toward more sustainable aquaculture—though critics argue those measures haven’t gone far enough.
Collins enjoys strong support in suburbs like Kingston and Blackmans Bay, where name recognition and longstanding incumbency still carry weight. But this year’s contest may hinge on turnout and sentiment in rural pockets—places like Cygnet, Huonville, and Geeveston—where aquaculture, cost of living and healthcare access are sharply felt.
The Liberal Party is pinning its hopes on Josh Garvin, a young candidate campaigning on petrol prices, cost-of-living pressure and regional development. He’s focusing on traditional Liberal strengths in Tasmania’s rural south, but the presence of multiple independents—including George and Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley—could split the vote in unpredictable ways.
While Blomeley has a profile in local government, his campaign message is more generalist—advocating for community-driven policy and economic stability. George, in contrast, has become synonymous with a single defining issue: Tasmania’s relationship with corporate aquaculture.
Healthcare remains a key concern. In regional parts of Franklin, residents have raised concerns about ambulance response times and ageing medical infrastructure. These issues, though perennial, have sharpened in the post-pandemic climate. Likewise, access to TAFE and university pathways continues to shape younger voter concerns, especially for families outside Greater Hobart.
With digital campaigning playing an increasingly prominent role, independents like George have benefitted from grassroots social media traction. Though lacking the traditional machinery of a party campaign, George’s message—amplified by activists and former Greens supporters—has found momentum online.
Franklin has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country, regularly exceeding 90%, but also sees higher informal vote rates in its more remote booths. With Fitzgerald’s name still appearing on ballots, and some voters potentially unaware of his disqualification, informal or misdirected votes could play a subtle but important role.
At this stage, Collins still holds a clear lead, but the race has shifted. George’s endorsement from Bob Brown—combined with growing environmental concern and a vacuum in the progressive space—may disrupt the usual preference flows. Whether it’s enough to unseat an experienced minister remains to be seen.
What’s certain is that Franklin, once seen as a safe Labor seat, is now home to one of Tasmania’s most intriguing electoral battles—one defined not just by party lines, but by waterways, independence, and environmental urgency.
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🏛️#Franklin's election race heats up as independent Peter George (Bob Brown-backed) challenges Labor's @JulieCollinsMP (13.7% margin). 🐟 Salmon farming & environment dominate debate, with Greens' exit reshaping preferences. 🗳️ #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/QxVioTyf0w
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 23, 2025
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