Runs for Hobart Lord Mayor

A LECTURER who supports the University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) move into the inner-city has entered the political race to be the Lord Mayor of Hobart in 2022.

Commerce lecturer Dr Xuesong “Marcus” Bai has made his political debut and will be throwing his hat in the ring for the Hobart City Council elections in October.

Dr Bai has been at UTAS for 13 years – first as a student and then as a staff member and has watched the campus move debate unfold with interest.

He said the Save UTAS Campus critics had “genuine concerns” about the move, but Dr Bai maintained it would also bring about positive change for the city of Hobart.

As a commerce expert, Dr Bai said that the move made long-term financial sense for the inner-city traders and the Hobart economy as a whole.

“I’ve spoken to our students, and moving the campus to the city will give more people better access to the university to suit their needs,” Dr Bai said.

“The move into the Launceston CBD has been proven to give the local economy a boost, so I can’t see how a similar move in Hobart won’t bring about the same kind of new business and new opportunities to our traders in the city.”

Another of Dr Bai’s election priorities is building more inner-city parking spaces and bringing back free two-hour parking on weekends and for senior citizens.

He said he did not support a “car-free” model for Hobart, since cars were such an important asset for the elderly, those with disabilities, and families with young children.

He’s also advocating tougher regulations on e-scooters and is proposing a free City Loop bus service linking the ferry terminal to the rest of the city.

Dr Bai said he espoused a less adversarial approach to council politics, having watched councillors and candidates clash bitterly in the media over personal views.

He said it was time to put aside the infighting to work collectively for the greater good of Hobart city.

“It is important we elect a council that listens, stands united and acts for the greater good of its community, and most importantly, being genuine and honest to the public,” Dr Bai said.

“We need councillors who will speak from the heart and fight for the greater good of the community. I make this promise. I know I can do this task as the next Lord Mayor of Hobart and its new council”.

Dr Bai will be competing with the likes of Marti Zucco, Louise Elliot, Louise Bloomfield, and incumbent Anna Reynolds for the top job as mayor.