Our youngest candidate, Owen is a vibrant, youthful voice, passionate about the environment, equality, and First Nations justice.
Extensively involved in fighting for a better world, Owen has attended various humanitarian summits worldwide, and this year attended the Change The World Model UN conference in New York.
Having grown up in the Franklin area, Owen has seen first hand the impact unsustainable salmon farming and native logging practices have had on the community and environment; practices which Owen is dedicated to addressing.
The cornerstone of Owen’s campaign is forward thinking - looking to a sustainable, equitable, and fair future for all in Franklin and beyond.
MEDIA RELEASE
Owen Fitzgerald
16 April, 2025
The Tasmanian Greens have today received legal advice that Greens candidate for Franklin Owen Fitzgerald is likely to be ineligible to stand for election under Section 44 of the Constitution, and will end his campaign today.
Mr Fitzgerald had renounced his United Kingdom citizenship in 2024. He is not a registered citizen of New Zealand but legal advice today confirmed he is a citizen by descent.
Owen was unaware of this fact.
The party will make a decision around voting advice in Franklin in the coming days.
Comments attributable to Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim:
“This situation is not Owen’s fault. It was an administrative error in the party's candidate vetting process.”
“Owen is a fantastic young person who has campaigned with energy and verve to defend nature, and for climate action and human rights.”
“I have no doubt that Owen has a massive future in the Greens and in politics. If parliaments had more people like Owen the world would be a far better place.”
“Section 44 of the Constitution has no place in a multicultural liberal democracy like Australia in 2025. It is a relic from a bygone era that predates the notion of Australian citizenship.
“Our Constitution should not require thousands of dollars in legal fees and navigating the complexities of other countries’ citizenship laws just to exercise the basic democratic right of running for political office.”
Comments attributable to Greens candidate for Franklin Owen Fitzgerald:
“Fighting for environmental and social justice has always been a lifetime mission for me.”
“This is a disappointing but temporary setback and I will be back.”
