Statements
Local Government Elections
The Liberal Government is urging all eligible Tasmanian voters to participate in this month’s local Government elections with the polls opening today.
With the move to all-in, all-out elections every four years, Tasmanians are spoilt for choice with a record number of candidates standing this year.
It’s also pleasing to see the large number of candidates standing for Mayor and Deputy Mayor due to the Liberal Government’s recent changes to the Local Government Act 1993, removing a 12 month probation period for Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral candidates.
We now have young candidates, business people, musicians and farmers and who have put themselves forward for Mayor of their council who couldn’t have done so if we didn’t act earlier this year.
This is a great outcome for them and a great outcome for democracy to have more choice.
I urge all eligible voters to post in their votes so we can increase the participation rate across the State.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government