Hobart elects mixed-gender council, deputy mayor position vacant
Hobart’s municipal elections resulted in two women securing seats on the city council, preventing a scenario of an all-male governing body. Louise Elliot and Zelinda Sherlock were elected, finalizing the council composition after vote counting concluded.
However, Ben Lohberger, who was previously selected as deputy lord mayor, was not elected to a council seat. Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey explained that this means Lohberger will be unable to assume the deputy mayor role.
“Under the local government regulations, the process that will follow is the councillors that are elected will fill that vacancy from a ballot around the table,” Hawkey stated. He noted this is an uncommon occurrence, having transpired only a few times since 1994, most frequently in smaller or regional councils.
Initial projections last week suggested the possibility of an all-male council, but Elliot’s and Sherlock’s elections changed that outcome. Both women were members of the prior council.
Charles Wooley, a veteran journalist, has been elected Lord Mayor. The remaining council members include John Kelly, Bill Harvey, Ryan Posselt, Simon Behrakis, Harvey Lennon, and Mike Dutta.
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“Two women elected to Hobart City Council, but deputy mayor-elect missed out on seat”
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