Let skill, not time settle council fate

TASMANIA’S longest- serving mayor has slammed a suggestion by former Hobart lord mayor Sue Hickey that councillors’ terms be limited.

Brighton Mayor Tony Foster, who has been in the job 26 years, says voters should decide who represents them and age is irrelevant.

Cr Foster, who was first elected to council in 1985, was responding to comments from Ms Hickey that representation on the state’s 29 councils was “male and stale”.

“If you’ve got good health it doesn’t matter if you’re 85 or 90,” Cr Foster said.

“Health is the determining factor ... you’ve got to have an element of historical knowledge on council.”

Cr Foster, who declined to give his age, said Ms Hickey’s seat in State Parliament was not limited, and neither should a councillor’s.

“It’s the people who decide whether you’re competent or otherwise, it shouldn’t be up to a set term,” he said.

The comments were backed by Hobart City Council’s long- est-serving alderman Marti Zucco. Ald Zucco, first elected in 1992 and a long-time sparring partner of Ms Hickey, said the suggestion was undemocratic.

“We should not in any way, shape or form underestimate the people who elect us,” Ald Zucco said.

“I don’t believe they should be dictated to at all.”

The State Government has instigated a review of the Local Government Act.

Local Government Association chief Katrena Stephenson said that process needed to be worked through, but her organisation was not backing limited terms.

“Yes, there might be some long-serving councillors who people are disappointed with,” Dr Stephenson said.

“They have the ability to change them. There are some long-serving councillors who are outstanding, committed, knowledgeable and really making a difference in their communities.”

Dr Stephenson said LGAT was working on programs to promote more women’s involvement on local councils.