Peter George (politician)
Peter George | |
|---|---|
 George in 2025 | |
| Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Franklin | |
| Assumed office 19 July 2025 Serving with 6 others | |
| Preceded by | Nic Street |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter Antony George[1] 1951 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Independent |
| Residence | Huon Valley |
| Profession | Journalist |
Peter Antony George (born 1951) is an Australian politician and member for Franklin in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. He received the highest primary vote of all Franklin candidates at the 2025 Tasmanian state election.[2]
George had previously contested the 2025 federal election as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Franklin. He received 42.2% of the two-candidate-preferred vote.[3]
Personal life
George was born in 1951 to an Australian mother and British father. After living in several countries, his family settled in Sydney when he was 15. He later worked across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally as a journalist, eventually spending several years sailing the Pacific with his wife Jessica, a former Four Corners editor.[4]
George only settled in Cygnet, Tasmania in recent years, following his retirement. Despite just re-locating to the town, he became a prominent voice in local opposition to salmon farming, taking on the role of President of Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF). His environmental advocacy gained attention after a major salmon die-off in 2025, prompting his decision to run for federal parliament as an independent in the seat of Franklin.[4]
Political positions
Macquarie Point Stadium
After being successfully elected on 19 July 2025, George described three main priorities for the next political term. George is against a proposal to build the Macquarie Point Stadium, required in the current agreement with the AFL for Tasmania to gain their own team. On election night, he stated that, "We cannot afford a stadium that will end up at 2 billion dollars... We cannot be bullied by the AFL. We can have two teams — mens' and womens' teams — without a stadium".[5]
Salmon farming
George is strongly opposed to salmon farming in Tasmania, citing the environmental damage they allegedly cause and the risk to endangered species. On election night, he explained, "We have to stop the decimation of our waterways by the multinational salmon farms. We have to stop supporting them, and we have to stop the expansion into our waters".[6] Protecting native forests from logging companies is another of George's priorities.
Integrity
Another focus was modification to Tasmania's Integrity Commission, which he views as ineffective in its current state. George believes, "We all need to agree on a properly financed Integrity Commission that's able to do its job and restore Tasmanians' faith in their government".[7]
Miscellaneous
Other policies include a focus on education outcomes, and reducing the quantity of Tasmanians on the waitlist for urgent housing.[8]
George has been critical of both of the Tasmanian Liberal and Labor parties, who he sees as both having caused the early 2025 election due to their unwillingness to cooperate with the Greens and other crossbenchers to form minority government. "If neither of the [two major parties] can speak to the crossbench, that is their problem, it is not the problem of the crossbench, nor will it be the problem of the Greens."[9]
References
- ^ Peter Antony George [@Indy4Franklin] (21 July 2025). "39 days took us from a standing start to winning more votes in Franklin on the current count than any other candidate" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Franklin - TAS Electorate, Candidates, Results". www.abc.net.au. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ^ "Australian Federal Election 2025 Live Results". www.abc.net.au. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "We can do this". Forty South. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Votes 2025: S2025 Episode 5". ABC iview. 19 July 2025. 9:16. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Votes 2025: S2025 Episode 5". ABC iview. 19 July 2025. 9:43. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Votes 2025: S2025 Episode 5". ABC iview. 19 July 2025. 9:59. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Votes 2025: S2025 Episode 5". ABC iview. 19 July 2025. 8:52. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Votes 2025: S2025 Episode 5". ABC iview. 19 July 2025. 8:07. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
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External link
- "Peter George". Members of the Parliament of Tasmania. Retrieved 15 August 2025.