{
  "id": 295339,
  "title": "Rockliff adviser, ex-minister chosen as Liberal Senate replacements",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/rockliff-adviser-ex-minister-chosen-as-liberal-senate-replacements",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T04:45:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-08/liberals-select-senate-replacements-for-tasmanians-duniam-askew/107012632"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At a meeting in Launceston, Chris Gatenby, an adviser to Premier Jeremy Rockliff, has been chosen as the Liberal Senate ticket leader for the next federal election. Former minister Sarah Courtney has been selected as the second spot. Jacki Martin, an adviser to outgoing senator Wendy Askew, and Brad Stansfield, a Liberal strategist and pollster, will occupy the third and fourth positions respectively. Both Wendy Askew and Jonno Duniam announced they would not seek reselection, leading to the appointment of these Liberal party members to fill the casual vacancies. Gatenby, a senior adviser to Rockliff and former party president, has extensive experience in government, policy development, and small business. Courtney, a moderate Liberal, has a background in engineering and was Tasmania's first female primary industries minister. Martin, a Latrobe councillor and parliamentary adviser to Askew, has been vocal about various issues in the region. Stansfield, a former chief of staff to Will Hodgman, also held positions in the Tasmanian Liberal party and is known for his political commentary.",
  "summary": "A senior adviser to Tasmania's premier has been chosen to replace outgoing Liberal Senator Wendy Askew, while a former state minister will replace Senator Jonno Duniam when he finishes up at the end of the year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chris Gatenby, Rockliff's adviser, chosen as Liberal Senate ticket leader",
    "Sarah Courtney, ex-minister, selected for second Senate spot",
    "Wendy Askew and Jonno Duniam not seeking reselection, creating vacancies"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The selection of Rockliff's adviser Chris Gatenby as Senate ticket leader signals a promotion for a key insider with experience in government and policy development to a more public role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}