The Tasmanian Government has passed major local government reforms through the State’s Legislative Council which will now see the delivery of ‘all-in, all-out’ council elections.

Deputy Premier Bryan Green said that the reforms will re-shape the future of local government in Tasmania.

“We put the reforms forward in good faith and now we will deal with the amended legislation when it returns to the Lower House to give local government certainty,” Mr Green said.
“All-in, all-out council elections will enable councils to focus on delivering their policies over a fixed-term like all other levels of government.

“Rather than elections for half the council ever two years this will provide continuity for our leaders in local government and the communities they represent

"These changes will help ensure councils are even more accountable and responsive to their communities, while also letting them get on with the job that voters have elected them to do.

Under the reform, local government voting will now become mandatory for all citizens of Tasmania.

Mr Green said he recognised the move towards compulsory voting was not supported by all councils.

“The aim of compulsory voting was to help lift participation and make local government more representative of the communities they represent,” Mr Green said.

The reform also bans dual representation, barring an individual from being a Member of Parliament as well as a local councilor, similar to laws passed by the New South Wales Government last year.