Tasmania announces major local government reforms
The Tasmanian Government has announced a package of major local government reforms that include new set terms for mayors and full council elections.
Deputy Premier Bryan Green said that Mayors and Deputy Mayors will face elections every four years with all elected local government representatives.
"Rather than elections for half the council ever two years this will provide continuity for our leaders in local government and the communities they represent," Mr Green said.
"All-in, all-out council elections will enable councils to focus on delivering their policies over a fixed-term like all other levels of government.
Rather than being in constant election mode, these changes will help ensure councils are even more accountable and responsive to their communities, while also letting them get on with the job that voters have elected them to do.
"Communities can then make decisions on whether their elected representatives have performed well over that period.
Mr Green also announced the introduction of opt-in compulsory voting for councils and an end to dual representation.
"We want to encourage greater community participation in the election of councils which provide many services directly to their local communities.
Mr Green said preventing dual representation would ensure that elected representatives can focus all of their efforts on the interests of their local communities.
"This will relieve elected representatives of conflicting demands on their time."
Mr Green said public consultation on the reforms would begin immediately before legislation is introduced in April to allow the changes to be in place for local government elections later this year.