Singer, songwriter and one-time political candidate John Schumann has “politely declined” approaches from both major political parties to stand in the soon-to-be-vacant Adelaide Hills seat of Davenport.
A by-election will be held in the safe Liberal seat following the announcement by Liberal MP Iain Evans that he would be retiring shortly, following his party’s loss in the March 2014 state election.
Schumann, 61, best known for his songwriting success with folk group Redgum with their Vietnam War-themed hit “I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green)”, has a political pedigree.
He was chief of staff to former Australian Democrats Leader Meg Lees before standing as a Democrats candidate in the safe Liberal seat of Mayo in the 1998 Federal election, giving then-Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer a run for his money.
Schumann polled 22.4 per cent, the best result for a minor party candidate in Mayo. He lost to Downer on a two party preferred basis by only 1.7 per cent.
“I was chuffed to have been asked,” Schumann told InDaily of the recent political overtures.
“At the moment, however, there are a number of exciting projects that I’m working on so (state) politics is not something that I want to consider at this time.”
Schumann said he had been contacted by a range of people connected with both parties.
“I am approached from time to time about engaging in formal politics – that’s nothing new.
“So, thanks, but no thanks.”
Sources close to Schumann told InDaily that if he ever had another go at politics “it certainly wouldn’t be for a major party and it certainly wouldn’t be at a state level.”
Among the Liberals, however, approaches have been made to a range of possible candidate to ensure they hold the seat, rather than lose another safe Liberal patch to an independent conservative.
The adjacent seats of Fisher and Waite are now both in independent hands.
A widespread suggestion that Vicki Thomson, the former chief of staff to Liberal Premier John Olsen, would be a contender can also be put to bed.
Thomson is currently Executive Director at Australian Technology Network of Universities.
“I have not been approached.,” Thomson told InDaily.
“I have no interest in state politics. I have never been a member of the Liberal Party.”
One other contender, a former staffer with Iain Evans has not responded to InDaily’s calls.
