Media release – Ben Lohberger, 26 February 2024
FOUNDING MEMBER OF SAVE UTAS AND HOBART CITY COUNCILLOR, BEN LOHBERGER, TO STAND AS INDEPENDENT FOR CLARK
Founding member of SaveUTAS and Hobart City councillor, Ben Lohberger, is today announcing he will stand as an independent candidate for Parliament in the Clark electorate.
Mr Lohberger said he was standing for election to provide a truly independent option for the people of Hobart, who have been let down repeatedly by the major parties.
“I have been overwhelmed by requests that I stand. People in Hobart want action on housing, bus services, the hospital, and the university relocation, and they are sick of being ignored.
“The Liberals have neglected public housing for a decade. We need a big boost to housing numbers in Hobart to help get people off the street and into homes, and that’s what I’ll do if I get the chance.
“I’ve spoken to people who have missed medical appointments, interviews, and school pickups, because the bus didn’t turn up. I will support putting more buses on the road, and more reliable services.”
“We can stop the UTAS plan to move into the already-congested city by changing the law to prevent the University from selling off the campus, and I will introduce a Bill to that effect if elected.”
“UTAS has blocked much needed inner city housing by sitting on large inner city properties for years. Sale of this land would release key development sites, and generate the funds required to refurbish the Sandy Bay campus.”
“Glenorchy needs a new pool but the Council cannot afford to build one or operate it. If I am elected I will push for a new pool, paid for and operated by the state government.”
“There are big problems coming for Hobart’s drinking water catchment but nobody is doing anything to fix them. We need a single agency to monitor water quality and protect Hobart’s drinking water.”
“I’ve always wanted a Tasmanian AFL team, but the Liberals’ weak negotiation skills have ruined the dream for me and many other Tasmanians. I have no confidence in the Liberals’ handling of the stadium issue. I support a Tasmanian team but I can’t support a ruinous and unnecessary stadium while people in Hobart are living in tents and cars and friend’s sheds.”
As a Hobart City councillor, Ben Lohberger currently represents the Council on the TasWater owners group and the board of Wellington Park Management Trust, and he also chairs the City Water Committee and co-chairs the Housing With Dignity Reference Group.
As a founding member of Save UTAS, Mr Lohberger has been involved from the beginning in the campaign to stop the university moving. Since being elected to the Hobart City Council in 2022, he has continued to work towards the University remaining in Sandy Bay. He has also pushed successfully to continue the mediation process facilitated by the Council between UTAS, the National Tertiary Education Union, the Tasmanian University Student Association, and the Save UTAS group.
