Elections put off to August

TWO of the state’s Legislative Council elections will be deferred to protect Tasmanians against the spread of coronavirus, meaning the two electorates will be without representation for about three months – or longer.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said while the elections were an important part of the democratic process, the State Government needed to ensure strong measures were in place to minimise risk of coronavirus infection.

“The Government believes that the elections should not be put off indefinitely to ensure people in the two divisions of Huon and Rosevears have proper representation,” she said yesterday.

“It is therefore our aim, subject to Public Health circumstances at the time, to hold these elections before the Legislative Council is to sit again on the 25th of August this year.”

The elections were first scheduled for May 2 but that was changed to May 30 because of the coronavirus outbreak. It’s understood the MLCs’ terms expire on May 30.

No date has been set for the postponed elections but it appears they will not be held until late August.

“The people of Huon and Rosevears also have an important part to play. They need to be represented and we want to minimise that time that they are not represented,” Ms Archer said.

Huon is held by independent Robert Armstrong, who has announced that he will recontest the seat. Independent Kerry Finch, who represents Rosevears, is not recontesting.

Premier Peter Gutwein said there was nothing more important than democracy.

“However, we also need to balance this against the stringent measures that we put in place to limit the spread of the virus as in consultation with Public Health in the best interests of the Tasmanian community at this time,” he said.

Labor leader Rebecca White welcomed the decision, saying Labor candidates Dr Bastian Seidel and Jess Greene had suspended face-to-face campaigning last month and called for an election deferral on March 18.

“We are relieved that common sense has finally prevailed,” she said.

“Democracy is important but no one should have to put their health at risk or the health of others in order to vote.”

Independent candidate for Rosevears Janie Finlay said she fully supported the decision to defer the election.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor welcomed the decision but said it should have been dealt with by the Parliament.