Quit action fuels by-election talk

THE resignations of seven Glenorchy City aldermen – all of whom have already been suspended by the State Government – could force a costly by-election.

The decision to host the byelection rests with Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Alex Hawkey and Director of Local Government Alex Tay, and comes after the Glenorchy City Council gave formal notification to authorities that there will be seven vacancies on the council.

Glenorchy deputy mayor Harry Quick, ex-mayor Stuart Slade, and aldermen Jenny Branch-Allen, Steven King, David Pearce, Haydyn Nielsen and Christine Lucas have handed their resignations to the council’s acting general manager Tony McMullen.

Mr McMullen has now passed these on to the electoral commissioner’s office.

Mr Hawkey confirmed he has received correspondence from the council advising of the resignations and he was “seeking advice on the matter”.

The advice that Mr Hawkey and Mr Tay will get will be key in determining whether the suspended Glenorchy aldermen are able to resign under the Local Government Act and if so, what is the next step in filling the vacancies.

A countback is the first option for any resignation or va- cancy from a council.

However, there are only seven potential candidates from the 2014 election that could nominate for a countback, and the Mercury understands at least two are now living interstate.

Glenorchy commissioner Sue Smith said because the situation of seven aldermen resigning was “unprecedented” and a by-election — potentially costing up to $200,000 — may have to be held.

“We got our legal advice and it says to take this pathway [passing them on to the TEC],” she said.

“But the Act is silent on suspended aldermen and whether they can resign, it’s now between the electoral commissioner and the Director of Local Government.

“I hope this doesn’t lead to a by-election that could cost the community that I am now representing hundreds of thousands of dollars for something the State Government was already going to do in January under its proposed legislation.”

Mrs Smith said the council’s decision to pass on the resignations to the TEC came after it received more correspondence from legal representatives of the aldermen threatening legal action if it did not happen.

Mr Slade said common sense had finally kicked in.

“That’s all we wanted [to be able to resign],” he said.

“We did what we were required and now we are pleased that council has passed them on.

“It appears that common sense has come in to it.”