Mayor says independent voices needed

Watching the state’s political crisis unfold, Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said she felt she had no choice but to run as an independent in the coming state election.

Derwent Valley mayor Michelle Dracoulis will run as an Independent candidate for Lyons in the 2025 Tasmanian state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Watching the state’s political crisis unfold, Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said she felt she had no choice but to run as an independent in the coming state election.

The numbers of non-party MPs in the House of Assembly jumped in the last parliament, helped by the expansion of the chamber to 35 and the lower quota of votes now needed for election.

The former Labor member said her values hadn’t changed, but she did not believe the major parties reflected the views of ordinary people any more.

“Frankly, looking at the situation as it’s played out over the last week, it wasn’t so much a case of whether or not I should run for parliament … I didn’t feel like it was an option not to pop on my head up at this point,” she said.

“I would not consider running for a party at this point in time. I need my own voice.

“It’s a time in history I think in Australian politics, where we need people out there saying the things that need saying, rather than toeing party lines.

“I know what my people need and I’d like to be a voice in that room.

“I think we need to be working together to move forward as a state, and I think we need some stability.”

Ms Dracoulis said she was keen to be a strong advocate for the people of Lyons in the parliament, particularly the remote and rural areas of the sprawling central Tasmanian electorate.

She identified health care, education and policing the key issues of her campaign.

And Ms Dracoulis said she remained to be convinced on the stadium.

“If I had to vote on it today I’d be saying no, I’d be saying, let’s go back to the drawing board and see how this actually stacks up,” she said.

Former federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell also revealed his intention to run in Lyons on Thursday.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission encouraged Tasmanians to ensure their details are up to date on the electoral role.

Originally published as Mayor says independent voices needed