Labor Leader Rebecca White has today named community leader, former Federal MP and current West Tamar Councillor Geoff Lyons as Labor's candidate for the up-coming Windermere Legislative Council election.
Ms White said with Mr Lyons as the candidate, voters had the opportunity to install a passionate voice for jobs and Tasmania's economic future in the Upper House.
"Labor has a clear, fully costed Working for Tasmania jobs plan that will deliver jobs for 35,000 Tasmanians and Geoff is passionate about training our workforce of the future, getting Tasmanians secure, rewarding employment and keeping them in jobs," Ms White said.
"Geoff will be an ideal addition to the enormous depth of talent already in the Labor team and to keeping a firm focus on ensuring our state does not simply return to normal after the COVID pandemic, because normal wasn't good enough for too many Tasmanians.
"With the unemployment rate approaching eight per cent and youth unemployment the worst in the country, we need to get more people into jobs and we need to ensure our children get the skills they need for the future and Geoff will be a strong advocate for this."
Mr Lyons has enjoyed a long career in senior roles at both the Beaconsfield District Hospital and the Launceston General Hospital and other senior roles within the public sector. He has dedicated decades to volunteering with aged care organisations and Surf Life Saving, was the former Federal Member for Bass and is a current West Tamar Councillor.
Mr Lyons has also led an extremely active sporting life as a senior footballer with Launceston, Wynyard and North Launceston Football Clubs, a tennis official at three Australian Opens and a Tasmanian representative in judo and surf lifesaving.
"I've been committed to my community all my life and through my work both as a volunteer and as an elected representative, I've never lost sight of the fact that we need to make a better life for all Tasmanians our priority," Mr Lyons said.
"As we steer our way out of the pandemic, that's never been more important.
"Labor has a strong plan to build industry and create jobs in this region including rebuilding our TAFE system and skills base, partnering with businesses to drive innovation in both new and traditional industries and implementing our Sea Highway Plan, which I believe as an island state is critical to our recovery and our future."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
