Who is George Razay, saxophone playing doctor, opponent of Hobart stadium and new Bass MP?
Professor Razay is a long-time doctor, City of Launceston councillor and a clinical professor with the University of Tasmania.
He also plays the saxophone in a community band, and attends a local jazz and tap dancing school twice a week.
The 69-year-old came in with just 3.5 per cent of first preference votes for the seat of Bass, which election analyst Kevin Bonham said gave Professor Razay the lowest independent winning vote share in Tasmanian history.
Professor Razay said the win was unexpected.
"That just shows you how the community has supported me all the way … they were the driving force for me continuing to campaign."
Professor Razay has spent 27 years working as a geriatrician at the Launceston General Hospital and was elected as a councillor in 2022.
"Being in the council has been the best thing for me. It has introduced me to all of the issues that concern the community," he says.
He was born in Syria and has lived in Tasmania for 28 years.
Professor Razay lives in Launceston with his wife Melissa.
He has run in two state and two federal election campaigns, and polled 5 per cent in Bass as an independent in both 2022 and 2025.
During this state election, he has campaigned on improving the health, education and housing systems, and against the Macquarie Point stadium proposal in Hobart.
"My vision for getting into politics is to turn Tasmania from one of the sickest states in Australia, to one of the most healthy, happy and active communities."
He said he has no affiliation with a political party, but described himself as progressive.
He said he is proud of this achievement, as he ran the campaign by himself.
Dr Bonham said he could not find another professor to have been elected to the Tasmanian parliament, meaning Professor Razay could be the state's first.
The finalisation of election results has put the major parties in a difficult position: the Liberals need support from four crossbenchers to remain in power, whereas Labor needs the five Green MPs, plus three other crossbenchers, to form government.
Professor Razay said he received calls from politicians on Saturday, but would not say who.
"They have respectfully said 'enjoy your day today', and I am looking forward to meeting with them very soon."
He said he was open-minded to supporting anybody.
"I would like to talk to everyone and I am going to give support to any party who is going to govern, and my goal is to present a stable government in the future," he said.
"By working together, we can achieve positive change in our community, and this is my role to work with them to achieve that."
When asked whether he would support another no-confidence motion against Jeremy Rockliff, Professor Razay said he wants to have more talks before deciding.
"I will talk, listen to the parliamentarians, including the premier, and make my decision afterwards."
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