Background
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Ritchie was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2001 at the age of 26, the youngest person ever elected to that chamber. She spent nine and a half weeks as Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations in 2008, but resigned due to ill health.[2] She announced her resignation from parliament amid allegations of nepotism on 20 June 2009.[3]
Candidates
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The writ for the by-election was issued on 30 June 2009; nominations closed on 9 July.[1] The eight candidates were:
- Independent — Honey Bacon, widow of former Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon.
- Independent — Peter Cooper, a Clarence City Alderman (2008–present).
- Independent — James Crotty, former Labor candidate and considered the unofficial representative of the Government.[4]
- Liberal Party — Vanessa Goodwin, a 39-year-old lawyer and criminologist, was previously the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Franklin in 2006 and the federal candidate for the equivalent seat in 2007, achieving a rare swing to the Liberal Party.
- Tasmanian Greens — Wendy Heatley, a 46-year-old lawyer.
- Independent — Richard James, a Clarence City Alderman( 1984–89, 1994–present). James previously contested Pembroke in 1995, 1999 and 2007.
- Independent — John Peers, a Clarence City Alderman (1994–present).
- Independent — Kit (Sharon) Soo, a public relations consultant.
References
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External links
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