Media release – Equality Tasmania, 3 November 2022
LOCAL GOV’T POLL: MORE LGBTIQA+ TASMANIANS IN ELECTED OFFICE THAN EVER BEFORE
“The Local Government Association of Tasmania ran a campaign with the aim of increasing the diversity of candidates. It certainly looks like this campaign was successful in improving LGBTIQA+ representation on a number of councils.” – Dion Lester, CEO, Local Government Association of Tasmania
“54% of the respondents to our local government candidate survey said they have a parent, partner or family member who is LGBTIQA+. We are hopeful this will mean greater LGBTIQA+ inclusion in local government policies and services.” – Dr Ruby Grant, spokesperson, Equality Tasmania
Equality Tasmania and the Local Government Association of Tasmania have welcomed the election of members of the LGBTIQA+ community and its allies to positions on local government across the state.
Jade Darko has been elected to the Clarence Council becoming the first transgender woman elected to public office in Tasmania.
Other LGBTIQA+ community members successfully elected or re-elected include Ben Dudman in Meander Valley, Paul Terrett in Northern Midlands and Michelle Draculis who was re-elected Mayor of Derwent Valley.
Equality Tasmanian spokesperson, Dr Ruby Grant, who coordinated the group’s survey of local government candidates, congratulated LGBTIQA+ community members and allies who were elected.
“There are now more openly LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians in elected office than ever before”, Dr Grant said.
“On top of this, 54% of the respondents to our local government candidate survey said they have a parent, partner or family member who is LGBTIQA+.”
“We are hopeful this will mean greater LGBTIQA+ inclusion in local government policies and services.”
“Local government plays an important role in promoting more inclusive local communities.”
“Our next step will be to write to successful candidates suggesting ways they can ensure Council policies and services are more inclusive.”
CEO of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Dion Lester, said he is pleased LGAT’s diversity campaign has resulted in improved LGBTIQA+ representation.
“The Local Government Association of Tasmania ran a campaign with the aim of increasing the diversity of candidates and ultimately those elected to councils”, he said.
“While we are waiting on a demographic breakdown from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission, it certainly looks like this campaign was successful in improving LGBTIQA+ representation on a number of councils.”
Councillor-elect Darko told the Hobart Mercury that her election “tells me that in spite of some of the more divisive narratives in the media, regular people don’t seem to actually care whether you’re trans or not.”
She said, “I hope that my standing up shows other people that they can do it too. I’m hoping Tasmania can continue to be the inclusive and trans-supportive place it has been in these last few years.”
Pioneering non-binary Hobart City Councillor, Jax Fox, was not re-elected.
Dr Grant paid tribute to Jax saying they were a role model and a trailblazer for other non-binary and gender diverse Tasmanians who seek to make a contribution to their state.
“I hope Jax runs again for elected office because they have much more to offer”, Dr Grant said.
