Displaced Liberals, Playing Libertarians, Shaking Hands as Independents - coincidence, or strategy?

Not Shocked to See the Handshakes Between Displaced Liberals, Tammy Tyrell, and Miriam Beswick.

It’s hardly surprising to witness the familiar handshakes between displaced liberals. The revolving door of political alliances and shifting loyalties has become all too common in today’s political landscape, and this display is just another reminder of how transactional politics has become. When power and influence are at stake, political figures—regardless of their previous stances—are quick to align with whoever can help. In this case, the handshake symbolizes more than just a moment of cordiality; it’s a reflection of the ever-changing, opportunistic nature of Australian politics, where allegiances shift in line with personal or independent interests.

Alex Johnston served as Jacqui Lambie’s media advisor during the last election, helping manage her media strategy and communications throughout the campaign. He later quit to babysit Miriam Beswick and Rebecca Pentland.

On the 1st of September, after Ray Mostogl finished speaking on the panel at the Northwest Energy Impacts public meeting, Miriam Beswick left with him, followed shortly by Adam, who returned to the room moments later. This sequence of events wasn’t surprising. It’s clear that certain policies are deeply rooted in lobbyist influence and the displaced independent language often used to disguise personal or political agendas. For an onlooker the dynamics of this meeting revealed more about the ongoing power plays and the influence of external interests than any true commitment to addressing the concerns of the public.

Joining Nick Steel (right) are from (left): Michael Bailey from TCCI, Ian Jones from Clean Energy Tasmania, Ray Mostogl from TMEC and Luke Martin from Salmon Tasmania

TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel joined with other industry associations at De Bruyn’s Transport in Wesley Vale to call for all candidates in next year’s federal election to back seven key priorities to promote jobs in regional Tasmania.

The seven priorities are:

· Commit to a sustainable future for Tasmania’s forest sector

· Modernise the TFES to make it fairer for exporters

· Lock in Marinus Link 

· Back job-creating, energy-generating projects like the Robbins Island wind farm 

· Commit to supporting for a sustainable salmon industry, especially in Macquarie Harbour ·

Reform environmental laws at federal level, especially the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act); and

· Acknowledge the Tarkine is and has been a mixed land-use zone for over a century and agree there is no case to change the classification of the region and allow compliant development applications to proceed.

Lambie is exempt from Freedom of Information to disclose her dealings or diary, the most safeguarded Zunt in Tasmania

The Real Team Tasmania includes the same old politics that keep us trapped in the same old cycles. Despite promises of change, the political landscape remains dominated by familiar faces and tactics that perpetuate the status quo, leaving the people of Tasmania to face the same challenges without real progress. These entrenched interests and alliances continue to hold us back, ensuring that the system remains as it always has—focused on maintaining power rather than bringing about the change we truly need.

IYKYK

Font PR

FontCast is a podcast hosted by Stansfield, Townshend and regulars like Alex Johnston, Sam Ikin and David Killick.

To explore this ecosystem - Press The Tile

Now, this is where we dive into the white supremacy and Libertarian connections. Michael Gray Griffith—a name familiar in certain political circles—happens to be best mates with Damien Richardson, a figure known for his alignment with far-right ideologies. It is also alleged that Michael was invited to a Freedom event near Robbins Island, raising further questions about the network of influence at play. Are these connections mere coincidence, or do they reflect a broader pattern where ultra-conservative, libertarian, and nationalist movements continue to weave themselves into political discourse under the guise of "freedom" and "individual rights." The presence of these figures in Tasmania’s political and activist spaces is yet another sign of the undercurrents shaping the state's political direction, often to the detriment of genuine, community-focused progress.

The 8:32 group is a reflection of Dave Pellowe’s Church and State, hosting the same lobby influences that continue to shape the religious political landscape. Groups such as Advance Australia, the Australian Christian Lobby, Never Again, and Church and State all operate within this ecosystem, reinforcing the same narratives under different banners, alongside the rebranded Libertarians. These groups don’t just share platforms—they share strategies, messaging, and political goals, working in tandem to push agendas that prioritise corporate interests, conservative social policies and removal of separation of church and state. The connections between them are far from coincidental; they are a deliberate alignment of forces seeking to shape public discourse and policy in ways that serve their ideological aims.

If you want real change, consider joining Tasmanians Now and voting for Melissa Wells and Gatty Burnett—people who will not bow to lobbyists, corporate interests, or the same old political games that have kept Tasmania stuck in a cycle of stagnation. Unlike career politicians who prioritise power over progress, we are committed to genuine representation, community-driven policies, and breaking free from the entrenched influences that hold Tasmania back. This election is an opportunity to choose leaders who will fight for Tasmania’s future, not just their own careers.