Senior Liberal MP and staff member seriously injured in boat incident

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:38, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 07:59, 16 July 2026 Shadow assistant fisheries and forestries minister Tony Pasin and a staffer have been injured in a boating incident. Tasmanian Police were called to Bakers Beach, on the state's north coast, following reports a man fell overboard about 9.30am on Thursday. It's understood an oyster barge carrying Pasin and one of his staff hit a sandbar. The man overboard, believed to be the staffer, became stuck between the sandbar and the boat.  'While undertaking shadow ministerial duties in Tasmania today, an incident occurred resulting in injuries to my staff member and me,' Pasin said in a statement. 'My first priority is the welfare of my staff member. We are both receiving medical treatment and the first appropriate notifications have been made to the relevant authorities and family members contacted. 'I thank the first responders who attended the scene and all those involved in providing assistance.' The man was pulled back aboard the barge and offered medical assistance before being transported to Launceston General Hospital, where he remains. Shadow assistant fisheries and forestries minister Tony Pasin and a staffer were involved in a boating incident It's understood the staff member went overboard while the boat was travelling back to shore from an excursion of an oyster farm 'I intend to remain in Tasmania to support my staff member and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage,' Pasin said. 'I ask that the media respect the privacy of all individuals involved.' The staffer went overboard while he, Pasin, fellow Liberal state MP Gavin Pearce and other staff were traveling back to shore from a tour of an oyster farm.