LOCALLY-resident state Greens member of parliament Tabatha Badger has announced her candidacy for the upcoming senate vacancy to replace the retiring senator Peter Whish-Wilson. By convention, senate vacancies are generally nominated from within the political party of the retiring member and then ratified by the relevant state parliament.
Responding to speculation in an ABC news report tonight, Ms Badger said: “Yes, I can confirm I’ve nominated for the Senate. In line with the party processes and to respect the membership I won’t be making further public comment.”
The ABC report states that an announcement on the matter is expected from the Tasmanian Greens tomorrow (Tuesday). Ms Badger was first elected as a member for Lyons at the 2024 state election and was returned at last year’s election. She lives locally in the Derwent Valley and should she be appointed to the senate, the vacancy in Lyons would be filled by a recount of the votes cast in her favour at the 2025 state election.
Peter Whish-Wilson was appointed to the Senate in 2012 to replace former Greens party leader Bob Brown on his retirement, and has been elected in his own right at the 2013, 2016 and 2022 senate elections. Last October he announced he would retire from federal politics this year.
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