A former Victorian Liberals boss, who presided over three consecutive state election losses, will lead the party's charge in Tasmania at the upcoming federal poll.Â
Sam McQuestin's return as Tasmanian state director in the coming weeks was announced on Saturday.
Mr McQuestin was one of the most successful state directors the Tasmanian Liberal Party has had, party president Michael McKenna said.
He ran the 2013 federal election campaign there which resulted in the Liberals winning three out of five lower house seats and oversaw the successful 2014 and 2018 Liberal state election wins.
Mr McQuestin helped flip two electorates during the 2019 federal election to secure the win for Scott Morrison, the party president said.
"Sam's return to lead the fight at the next federal election is a real coup for the party," Mr McKenna said.
"He is the ideal person to lead our fight to retain both Braddon and Bass and win back the crucial seat of Lyons as well as three Senate seats at the upcoming federal election."
Mr McQuestin quit his role as Victorian Liberal director in October 2023 following the party's third successive election loss.
At the time, he alluded to "internal challenges" but praised the campaign team and leaders for achieving a swing towards the party.
"Clearly, the Victorian division of the party is facing some significant challenges and I wish my successor - whoever they might be - all the very best," he said.
Mr McQuestin was fined $40,000 in March after the Australian Electoral Commission took action over four political advertisements in a newspaper ahead of the 2022 federal election.
The commission said he breached electoral laws by not properly declaring the ads came from him and the Liberal Party.
McQuestin admitted to the allegations but did not explain why the contraventions happened, suggesting the busy final days of an election campaign often meant ads were "approved on an ongoing basis".