Luke Edmunds
Luke Edmunds | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council for Pembroke | |
| Assumed office 10 September 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jo Siejka |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Occupation | Journalist |
Luke Matthew Edmunds (born 7 December 1981) is a Tasmanian politician, who was first elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council as the Labor member for Pembroke at the 2022 Pembroke state by-election, replacing retiring incumbent Jo Siejka.[1]
Edmunds lives in Bellerive and is a renter.[2] He was raised in Launceston, and worked as a journalist for all three of Tasmania's major newspapers: The Examiner, The Mercury and The Advocate, where he was sports editor.[3] Edmunds attended Mowbray Primary School, Brooks High School, Newstead College and studied Arts at the University of Tasmania.[4]
A lifelong Labor supporter, Edmunds’ first memory involving politics was watching the 1993 Australian Federal Election on television, the personality of Prime Minister Paul Keating capturing his attention, which he fondly retold in his first speech to Parliament. Edmunds first joined the party in 2006.[5]
His first foray into politics as a candidate was in the 2018 Tasmanian Local Government Elections, standing as an Alderman for his local council, Clarence City Council.[6] Edmunds was elected comfortably[7] and set to work on community-focused policies including an inclusive play policy for accessible playgrounds. “People are telling me they want Council focused on delivering the basics like good roads, getting our rubbish and recycling right, and investing in our green spaces,” Edmunds said during his 2018 campaign.[8]
By 2022, an experienced Councillor, Edmunds was endorsed by the Labor Party to run in the Pembroke state by-election. Edmunds delivered a strong victory, securing a 63.33% majority after distribution of preferences.[9] Since holding his position as the Member for Pembroke in Tasmania’s Legislative Council, Edmunds has praised health workers,[10] fought for funding to support deaf children,[11] stood up for local councils against forced amalgamations[12] – a policy later abandoned by the state liberal government,[13] supported due process of local government – calling out state Liberal government interference with planning,[14] and launched a Legislative Council inquiry into Tasmanian power prices.[15] Edmunds and Tasmanian Labor have supported a power price cap in Tasmania.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ Sato, Kenji (13 September 2022). "Labor's Luke Edmunds officially declared victor in Pembroke by-election". The Mercury. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Bonham, Kevin (12 August 2022). "Legislative Council 2022: Pembroke By-Election". Dr Kevin Bonham. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Maloney, Matt (14 September 2022). "Former Tasmanian journalist Luke Edmunds elected to the seat of Pembroke". The Examiner. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Parliament of Tasmania - Hon. Luke Edmunds MLC Inaugural Speech". Parliament of Tasmania. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Parliament of Tasmania - Hon. Luke Edmunds MLC Inaugural Speech". Parliament of Tasmania. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Edmunds to run in council elections". Eastern Shore Sun. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Clarence City Council Progressive Results". Tasmanian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Edmunds to Run in Council Elections". Eastern Shore Sun. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "2022 Legislative Council by-election results - Pembroke". Tasmanian Electoral Commission. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Killick, David (21 October 2022). "Labor MP Luke Edmunds praises health workers after health scare". The Mercury. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Support for Shepherd Centre welcome after long wait". Tasmanian Labor. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Appleton, Molly (6 July 2023). "Northern Midlands rejects forced council amalgamations in Tasmania". The Examiner. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Dalton, Stephanie (16 July 2023). "Tasmanian government: No forced council mergers not election ploy". The Examiner. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Killick, David (21 August 2023). "Labor flags political 'meddling' in Kangaroo Bay hotel stoush". The Mercury. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Killick, David (21 August 2023). "A parliamentary inquiry will look into Tasmania's rising power prices". The Mercury. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Maloney, Matt (28 August 2023). "Tasmanian power price rises to be examined". The Advocate. Retrieved 15 January 2024.