Media release – Nic Street, Minister for Local Government, 24 May 2022
Elevating local government elections to the level they deserve
The Local Government Amendment (Elections) Bill 2022 has been tabled today, seeking to introduce compulsory voting for this year’s local government elections as well as simplified preferential voting, often referred to as 1-5 voting, and some vote-saving measures.
Our Government wants to enhance the level of engagement between the Tasmanian public and local government, and to elevate this tier of government to the level it deserves.
At the last local government elections in Tasmania, the voter participation rate was only 58 per cent and we need to improve the community’s engagement with the local government sector.
As a former elected member of Kingborough Council, I understand the importance and value of the decisions made by local councils, which are just as important as those made at State and Federal Government level.
It is a strange anomaly that we don’t require people to vote at local government elections, while it is compulsory and enforceable at Tasmania’s State and Federal elections.
This issue has been well-canvassed over many years, and the legislation timeline is necessary to enable time to design and implement an appropriate information campaign to inform the public of the new requirements for this year’s elections, if passed.
The 2022 local government elections will be held in September and October, which is why it is timely to implement his measure now.
I believe the Local Government Amendment (Elections) Bill 2022 will provide a vital mechanism for the renewal and strengthening of the democratic mandate of councils, at a time when we are working together to equip local governments to support their communities for decades to come, through the Review process.
I look forward to working together with members from all sides to achieve this important reform.
Media release – Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), 23 May 2022
Local government election changes
The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) welcomes the Government’s recognition of the importance of our sector with its proposed changes to the local government elections later this year.
However, LGAT President, Australian Local Government Association Vice President and West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the Government should have consulted with the sector before announcing these changes.
“We have not recently considered the issue of compulsory voting in local government elections, and while the proposal may increase participation in local democracy; this change comes with some risks and importantly councils have not had sufficient time to consider the implications of such significant change,” she said.
The sector supports the proposed changes to simplify the ballot papers to only require marking 1 to 5 preferences.
“This is something local government has been advocating for and will go a long way to reducing the number of informal votes,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“We look forward to working with the Government to encourage people from diverse backgrounds, genders, abilities and ages to represent their community in the upcoming local government elections.”
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Local Government spokesperson, 24 May 2022
Local Government Reform Bill Falls Short
The Tasmanian Liberals’ Bill to amend the Local Government Act to make voting at elections compulsory is a welcome support for longstanding Greens’ policy to strengthen our democracy, however we are concerned other necessary legislative reforms needed before October’s elections are also not included.
The Greens have previously attempted to change the Local Government Act to make voting compulsory in 2013, but this was voted down at the time by the Liberals in the Lower House. Despite lobbying by the Greens to include compulsory voting as a reform to the Local Government Act during this government’s 2019 review process, the final recommendations of that review do not include this reform.
While this reform and change of direction by the Liberals is undoubtedly positive, the Minister for Local Government needs to explain why he has chosen this singular reform, why now, and why not the rest?
Minister Street has ignored essential democratic amendments needed before the October elections, including one person one vote reforms, and changes to eligibility for voting on the General Manager’s Roll.
At a minimum, this bill should also include reforms to require a person to be Australian citizen to be eligible to vote, and to introduce caretaker provisions for local government elections.
The Liberal Government’s decision to hold off bringing the full suite of widely-supported Local Government reforms to Parliament until the conclusion of the Future of Local Government review is a backwards step for our democracy.
It is remarkable that key proponents for this change include the Tasmanian Chamber for Industry and Commerce and the Property Council, but the Local Government Association Tasmania has expressed concern at the lack of consultation with the sector.
The irregular move to interrupt Parliament’s budget process to debate this bill requires an explanation for why the other important local government reforms, which are widely supported and necessary to improve election-related matters, continue to be delayed.
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Shadow Local Government Minister, 24 May 2022
Compulsory voting gives Tasmanians greater say in their communities
Tasmanian Labor supports the potential introduction of compulsory voting in local government elections and has been advocating for the move for many years.
However new Minister Nic Street should have consulted with the community and sector before announcing this change.
The Labor Party’s submission to the Review of Tasmania’s Local Government Legislative Framework made it clear that it is one of the best ways to ensure the majority of Tasmanians are able to have their say in their community and in electing their local council.
Despite the fact that the last local government election saw stronger turnout across various councils across the state, Tasmanian Labor believes more needs to be done to ensure greater participation and elevate the importance of local government across our communities.
At the same time Mr Street will move to legislate for compulsory voting, fundamental and widespread change is still needed to support councils into the future.
Tasmanians are still waiting for the outcome of the full review of the Local Government Act commenced in 2019, they need certainty on the government’ s position on charitable rates remission policy and when the sector has called for more support in the past this government has had a hands off approach.
Minister Street needs to also act swiftly to complete the review of the Local Government Code of Conduct and address cultural issues across the sector before more people leave or refuse to put up their hand to stand for council or work in local government across Tasmania.
