Greens Leader Kim Booth MP has congratulated all 476 Tasmanians who contested the local government elections, a record number of candidates for the historic first all-in all-out council race.
“Last month’s local council elections were an historic first on many levels, with the highest number of candidates and the highest number of women elected,” Mr Booth said.
“For the Greens’ we fielded a record 20 candidates contesting 11 local councils, and secured seven council positions across Clarence City, Hobart City, Huon Valley, Kingborough, and Launceston councils.”
“As Leader it is a great honour to congratulate all 20 of our fantastic candidates who campaigned so hard and flew the Greens flag so well across the state, along with the branches and support teams who gave so much time and energy to assist the campaign. While not all our candidates succeeded they contributed to the depth of choice offered to the voters which a robust democracy relies upon.”
“Congratulations to our new first time elected successful candidates, Richard Atkinson in Kingborough, Anna Reynolds in Hobart, and Emma Williams in Launceston, all of whom I know will represent their respective local communities diligently and passionately.’
“And well done to our Greens’ incumbent representatives who were returned, Kay McFarlane in Clarence, Helen Burnet and Philip Cocker in Hobart, and Rosalie Woodruff in the Huon Valley Council.”
“On behalf of the Greens Party I also thank for their commitment, efforts, and inspiration all our remaining council candidates who came close but not close enough: Jen van Achteren and Penelope Ann who stood for the Clarence City Council, Tammy Milne for the Devonport City Council, Christine Booth for the Dorset Council, Alan Whykes for the Glenorchy City Council, Simon Burnett, Rachel Adam, and Bill Harvey who contested Hobart City Council, Ian Macintosh for the Huon Valley Council, Nell Rundle for the Kingborough Council, Jo Bain for the Southern Midlands Council, Andrea Courtney for the Waratah/Wynyard Council, and Matthew Ryan-Sykes who contested the West Coast Council.”
Mr Booth also reiterated that the rest of the community now had to match the democratic effort put in by the candidates, to counter the low voter turn-out.
“On one hand the Tasmanian community engaged with their local democracy at unprecedented levels with a total of 476 Tasmanians standing for the position of councillor across the state’s local councils, but on the other hand barely 50 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
