Hickey scoffs at Johnston ‘sin bin’ gibe
GLENORCHY mayoral candidate Sue Hickey has rubbished claims her relationship with the state government would hamper Glenorchy’s lobbying efforts, after former mayor Kristie Johnston said the municipality would be “sent to the sin bin” if the former speaker were successful.
Ms Hickey said her relationship didn’t matter.
“It’s absolute nonsense because all politicians have an obligation to work for their constituents whether they like it or not,” she said.
The former Liberal said Ms Johnston needed to focus on her new role as a state independent MP.
“She should get on with her knitting,” Ms Hickey said.
“She’s now living in Hobart and should leave the next generation of management and mayors to get on with their vision.”
Ms Hickey said if successful, she would manage the role differently.
“I’d be a totally different
mayor to the style of Ms Johnston, like I was when I was mayor of Hobart, where we delivered record-breaking infrastructure in Hobart.
“I believe there’s a lot of things over the last three years of council that were not delivered under Ms Johnston’s watch and I intend to make sure these things are rectified, if elected.”
Voting for the Glenorchy, Kingborough and West Coast council by-elections closed on Tuesday.
Glenorchy Acting Mayor Bec Thomas, who has been endorsed by Ms Johnston, said she felt relieved campaigning was over.
“I’m feeling proud to have run a positive, clean campaign,” Ms Thomas said.
“At any time there’s been negative comments or smear tactics I’ve tried to not respond to anything like that.”
Ms Thomas said she would keep her place on council if unsuccessful in her mayoral bid.
In Kingborough, Paula Wriedt has been endorsed by former mayor Dean Winter, who is now a Labor MP.
She said she has had sleepless nights leading up to the end of the voting period.
“I think there’s a bit of election fatigue among the community,” Ms Wriedt said
She said those trying for mayor without being on council were disadvantaged.
“I think, unless people have got a lot of networks … name recognition is a very significant factor.”
Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said it was likely the result for Glenorchy will be known before Kingborough, with first-preference votes expected on Wednesday. “Eleven hundred votes were dropped in at Glenorchy or Kingborough on Monday and Tuesday,” he said.