Rick Mandelson – Chairman

Based in the Southern Midlands with my partner Louise, I run a small business as an accountant and tax agent.

I have three adult daughters, two son-in-laws (that I like) and one granddaughter. I would like them to have a better world than the one we currently have.

I also sit on several company boards across a range of industries including the development of data centres, quarrying and transport, high speed train development and the distribution of Colourbond steel into the UK and Western Europe. In addition, I am a member of several community organisations in the Southern Midlands such as the Oatlands District Homes Association and the Oatlands RSL Club and Sub-branch.

My involvement with the Nationals began in 2012 when I became disillusioned with the Liberals. They appeared to have lost their direction and values. As a good friend and former Liberal said, “I beat the rush”.

I was pleased to be invited to assist in reorganising and relaunching the Tasmanian Nationals (Tas Nats). While it might appear that we have only just come back on the scene, several years of work has been going on to re-establish the Tas Nats as the party for rural and regional issues in Tasmania.

I have been running my own businesses since 1993. I am passionate about small businesses as well as regional and rural Australia and look forward to helping fix the problems that Tasmania faces. What is needed is a down-to-earth, common-sense approach combined with basic financial discipline.

I firmly believe if anywhere is compatible with National values, it is Tasmania. The whole state is regional and rural and it is often forgotten (even left off maps of Australia). Tasmania needs local voices from the real world in parliament, not just professional politicians.

Christine Ferguson AM – Vice Chairman

Christine has backgrounds in the medical profession and the agricultural industry.
General Certificate Alfred Hospital Melbourne
Midwifery Certificate Simpsons Hospital Edinburgh Scotland
Bachelor Arts Politics and Economic History UNE New South Wales
Councillor Gundagai Shire Council
Founder of Friends of Togo Charity West Africa. .
Board Member Page Research Center
Chairman Sir Earle Page Trust.
Past Chairman NSW Nationals
Past President Federal Women’s Council
Past Pesident National Party of Australia
Christine and her husband Colin currently run their family property near Gundagai NSW, running
sheep and cattle
Moved permanently to Hamilton Tasmania in 2019
Member of the Nationals Steering Committee to register the National Party in Tasmania.
Member Concerned Farmers & Rural Communities Tasmania
Vice President Red Cross Gretna Branch Tas
Immediate Past President Ouse Community Country Club Tas

Francis Haddon-Cave – Treasurer

Both my parents were born Australian, my father was born in Hobart, but they left Australia for the UK soon after the end of the Second World War.  I was born in East Africa and then the family moved to Hong where I was raised and spent most of my adult life, running a trading company and then studying the law and practicing as a barrister.

I have always wanted to get back to Tasmania and finally managed it in 2019 after I had retired from the law.  We now live in Hobert where our young daughter goes to school and my wife teaches in the Catholic system.  We love it here and it was one of the best decisions we made to return ‘home’.

I have always maintained a strong interest in public affairs and was looking for a pollical home in Tasmania.  Neither of the main two parties align with my values.  Fortunately, the Nationals re-registered as a party in Tasmania in January of  this year and I immediately joined up.  I am a practicing Christian in the Anglican tradition and hold to clear conservative values. 

On the economy I argue that the government must always strive to live within its means and not unduly burden the people of Tasmania with unnecessary taxes, deficits or borrowing.  For this main reason I oppose the Macquarie Point Stadium proposal.  This is the best way to provide the conditions for ordinary Tasmanians to find work, start businesses and thrive.

 Finally, elected members in the next Parliament must focus on resolving the persistent problems in our health system and our schools.  In many cases the problem is not funding but a failure to make necessary policy changes.  I look forward to making my contribution to bringing about those changes.

Pip Allwright – Immediate Past President