Local Government Representation Under Threat

Thank you to all of you who engaged in encouraging the Legislative Council to allow public scrutiny of the Bill to reduce councillor numbers. You can read our joint opinion piece How would we know cutting councillors is a good idea? The public has never been consulted [on the draft Bill] here. 

The Bill has disappointingly almost passed the Tasmanian Parliament where none of our concerns have been remedied. The Legislative Council had the potential to respond to community concerns about the lack of public consultation but sadly chose not to. 

Public consultation on the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2025 was invited during 2025 but it did not include reducing Councillor numbers. Thus, nearly half the bill being debated, which related to the reduction in councillor numbers, was never released for public consultation.

This is contrary to Government’s own standard process for allowing prior public scrutiny of legislation to go before Parliament and falls short of the consultation standards set out for law making processes by the independent Centre for Public Integrity. It is a particular failure when legislation – such as in this case – is dealing with a matter such public importance such as local councillor representation.

We thank the Legislative Councillors who argued against these changes and unsuccessfully attempted amendments.

Legislative Council Vote on Councillor Numbers

Voted in favour of reduction*: Luke Edmunds (Labor), Nick Duigan (Liberal); Ruth Forrest (Independent), Casey Hiscutt (Independent); Sarah Lovell (Labor), Jo Palmer (Liberal); Bec Thomas (Independent), Tania Rattray (Independent) and Kerry Vincent (Liberal).

Voted against reduction*: Rosemary Armitage (Independent) Mike Gaffney (Independent), Clare Glade-Wright (Independent), Cassy O’Connor (Greens), Meg Webb (Independent).

*result of vote on a Greens amendment to remove reducing Councillors out of the Bill. 

Final Legislative Council vote on the Bill

For: Luke Edmunds (Labor), Nick Duigan (Liberal), Ruth Forrest (Independent), Clare Glade-Wright (Independent), Casey Hiscutt (Independent); Sarah Lovell (Labor), Jo Palmer (Liberal); Bec Thomas (Independent), Tania Rattray (Independent), Kerry Vincent (Liberal).

Against: Rosemary Armitage (Independent) Mike Gaffney (Independent), Cassy O’Connor (Greens), Meg Webb (Independent).

As per the above, four members voted against the Bill essentially based on concerns regarding the reduction of numbers and poor consultation processes. Clare Glade-Wright voted against the reduction of numbers but voted for the Bill.

Final House of Assembly Vote – we will report back after the final vote.