Tony Pasin preselected as Liberal candidate for Barker
The conservative MP will seek a fifth term in parliament at the next federal election, due in 2024 or 2025.
Federal MP Tony Pasin will seek a fifth term in parliament after receiving a vote of confidence from local Liberal Party members on Saturday.
At a meeting in Murray Bridge, Mr Pasin survived a challenge from Millicent nurse Katherine McBride to win pre-selection as the party’s candidate for the next election.
It was the first time he had been challenged at pre-selection since his election to parliament in 2013.
“I am humbled and honoured to have been pre-selected,” Mr Pasin said.
“Since being elected to the federal parliament in 2013, I have committed myself to the service of the electorate and I am extremely proud of what my team and I have achieved in partnership with members of our party and the broader community.
“I look forward to continuing to be part of a Coalition team that proves themselves to be a trustworthy alternative government for the next federal election.”
Party vice president Ella Winnall described Mr Pasin as a hard-working MP.
“The Barker community is well served by Tony’s advocacy and passion,” she said.
“As the Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, (he is) part of Peter Dutton’s team that is holding the Labor government to account and developing the Liberal Party’s positive plans to take to the next federal election.”
The next election is not due until late 2024 or early 2025 – after all, the last one was only a year ago this Sunday.
Early pre-selections were recommended by the authors of a review of the Liberal Party’s loss in 2022.
Mr Pasin will start as the favourite to be re-elected next time around, as Barker is one of the five “safest” Coalition seats in Australia, and has been held by the Liberals and their predecessors since 1901.
However, he has a way to go if he hopes to become Barker’s longest-serving MP.
The record is held by Archie Cameron, who represented the electorate for 22 years during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
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