Councillor Holly Ewin called out over comments they are “genuinely excited” about potential societal changes of coronavirus

A Tasmanian councillor has been called out for saying they were “genuinely excited” by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COMMENTS made by a Hobart City Council elected member about the coronavirus crisis have been labelled “reprehensible and out of touch” by their colleague.

Councillor Holly Ewin, who prefers to use the pronouns them and they, posted on social media this week they were “genuinely excited for the massive changes and socio-economic equalising made possible because of covid.”

“Obviously it would be great if we could come together and accomplish change without the death and destruction part, but y’know,” they wrote.

Hobart City Counci councillor Holly Ewin faced homelessness last year. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Our individual health depends on our collective health and our leading are finally starting to see that.”

Alderman Simon Behrakis said he had been reluctant to speak out on political matters in the current climate, Cr Ewin’s the comments were “so reprehensible and out of touch with the stress and fear that many in the community are currently facing that they demand response.”

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“Being ‘genuinely excited’ at the prospect of the coronavirus causing societal collapse just displays how out of touch Cr Ewin’s ideology is with the majority of Australians,” he said.

“Given that Cr Ewin has previously espoused the belief that those who hold reprehensible views, or make offensive comments should be ‘deplatformed’, as I believe everyone should play by the same rules they set for others I will be refraining from engaging with Cr Ewin in Council debate, or doing anything to further (their) credibility as an elected representative of Hobart City, until such a time as these offensive comments are retracted.

“For such a comment to be made in the midst of a health crisis, which is almost certainly going to lead to a recession which will decimate people’s livelihoods is absolutely unacceptable.”

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In response to Ald Behrakis’ comments, Cr Ewim clarified they were “in no way excited or happy that we are facing a global crisis.”

“But some of the socio-economic changes that are happening because of it will absolutely benefit many disadvantaged folk,” they said.

“Take for one example the fact that Newstart and other related payments are being raised for the first time in over 25 years. All of a sudden the old payment rates are not liveable. Well, people on those payments have been telling us that for years, and it literally took a global pandemic for the Liberal government to take that seriously.”

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the comments were Cr Ewin’s “own views and do not in any way represent the views of the City of Hobart.”