Sue Hickey announces bid to become Glenorchy mayor as others tipped to join race
The Glenorchy mayoral battle continues to heat up with a sitting alderman saying she’s considering running due to concerns about “well-rehearsed career politicians” LATEST >>
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THE Glenorchy mayoral battle continues to heat up with a sitting alderman today saying she’s considering running.
Alderman Kelly Sims said she had been asked to run for mayor by several community groups and was thinking about throwing her hat into the ring.
“I believe that people shouldn’t be in power just because they want to be but that they should be organically prompted by people in the community asking them, then they feel the need to step up,” the early childhood educator said.
“So maybe it’s worth putting my name in and letting the community decide.”
Ald Sims said local government suffered “at the hands of too many well-rehearsed career politicians.”
“I’m referring to all who use our local communities as a career stepping stone,” she said.
“I know the issue is rife everywhere.”
She said too few politicians had real life experience before entering politics.
“It’s about time the Glenorchy City Council resembled the society it’s suppose to represent,” she said.
“The community have been loud and clear, they are sick of the underperforming career exhibitionists hogging the limelight and claiming triumph, all the while leading our local communities down their own career path.”
War of words erupts over Hickey’s mayoral ambitions
SUE Hickey has hit back at Tasmanian tourism boss Luke Martin’s jibe at the former speaker’s mayoral tilt.
“Luke Martin needs to try harder to insult me. He needs to get personal runs on the board before he criticises others. In the meantime, I suggest an enema,” she tweeted.
Earlier today Mr Martin said that the Glenorchy mayor’s position was not a consolation prize, which was a shot at Ms Hickey nominating for the role so soon after losing her seat in the state seat of Clark.
Luke Martin needs to try harder to insult me. He needs to get personal some runs on the board before he criticises others. In the meantime, I suggest an enema. #politas
— Sue Hickey - Former Independent Member for Clark (@SueHickeyTas) May 19, 2021
There have been rumours circling that Mr Martin, himself a former Glenorchy alderman, might throw his hat in the ring for the municipality’s top job.
“I’m not going to lie Kristie Johnston has spoken to me about it over the last few weeks and months, as I’m sure she’s spoken to others, as she wants to get good people to contest,” Mr Martin said.
“She is worried about the council moving forward. She put her heart and soul into effectively saving that council and doesn’t want to see that work undone.”
Mr Martin gave credit to acting mayor Bec Thomas, who will also run for mayor.
“It’s great to see she’s put her hand up.”
But he said he hoped the person who won had entered the race for the right reason “not just because it was the next job”, in a clear jibe at Ms Hickey.
He stopped short of saying he’d take a tilt himself though.
“I think anyone who knows me knows I’m driven by getting our tourism industry back to where it needs to be and the timing isn’t great for me to be considering other roles.”
Earlier today, Premier Peter Gutwein said when asked about the former Liberal’s mayoral tilt: “I spare very little time thinking about Ms Hickey.”
10.30am May 19:
TOURISM boss Luke Martin has fired an extraordinary shot at former speaker Sue Hickey following the announcement of her plans to run as the new mayor of Glenorchy.
“Glenorchy is not a consolation prize,” Mr Martin tweeted after reading the exclusive story on the front page of the Mercury this morning.
There will be an upcoming by-election in the Greater Hobart council caused by the departure of Kristie Johnston for state parliament.
Unsuccessful in her bid to be elected for a second term in the seat of Clark at the May 1 election, Ms Hickey says she retains the passion to make a contribution to the community in which she lives.
On the Mercury’s social media, there was mixed reaction to the news.
“Oh God now she wants to wreck Glenorchy,” Norm Dennis said of Ms Hickey, who was also the former Lord Mayor of Hobart.
Ok, wow.
— Luke Martin (@lukemartin83) May 18, 2021
Glenorchy is so much better than a consellation prize.
“Get a real job and not bludge off us now you got thrown out for being disloyal,” Paul Kingston said.
However, Ms Hickey also received a lot of support with others commending her integrity.
“We need you Sue to keep them honest,” Keith O’Neill said.
Stephen Darcey Denehey said Ms Hickey had done wonders while in the mayoral chains in Hobart.
“She is a mover and a shaker and Glenorchy will alter considerably under her experienced influence. Hobart’s loss is Glenorchy’s gain.”
Meanwhile, Glenorchy deputy mayor Bec Thomas will also throw her hat into the ring for the upcoming mayoral race.
Ald Thomas, however, said this week she was focused on getting the job done.
“I do intend to run for mayor and I’m being open and honest with the community that it is my intention,” she said.
“But I’m not focused on media attention right now.
“This election is not about me, it’s about the community electing a mayor to ensure confidence and stability in the Glenorchy council.”
Alderman Thomas is in her first term as Alderman, having been elected in the January 2018 special Glenorchy City Council elections.
INITIAL:
FORMER speaker Sue Hickey is standing for mayor of Glenorchy in the upcoming by-election caused by the departure of Kristie Johnston for state parliament.
Unsuccessful in her bid to be elected for a second term in the seat of Clark at the May 1 election, Ms Hickey says she retains the passion to make a contribution to the community in which she lives.
She said she would stand as an independent with an emphasis on improving housing, governance and planning along with services, safety and sustainability.
Ms Hickey, a former Miss Tasmania who became a successful businesswoman, was the Lord Mayor of Hobart before entering state parliament.
She said it was her experience that suited her for the job.
“I’ve thought a lot of people have been sending me emails saying they’re very sad that I missed out and they would like to see me stay in public life and continue the work I was doing,” Ms Hickey said.
“They particularly have suggested running for the mayor of Glenorchy.
“When I look at it, I have all the governance skills, I have the business skills, I have the community skills, I have the media skills, I have the benefit of nearly seven years in local government.”
She said she would stand on a platform of improving access to housing, greater support for small business, better decision making around planning and a safer, more sustainable community with greater opportunities for young people in particular.
“I am determined to give all that I can to work for Glenorchy, its ratepayers and community and provide the energetic and effective leadership that our city requires and deserves,” she said.
“Local government is the tier closest to the actual people. It’s much more relevant as far as the way people live their lives. They want a clean, safe, liveable city with lots of opportunities.
“My feeling is that the council has spent the last three years rebuilding internally from the disastrous situation that it found itself in, but I haven’t seen much action out on the ground – and I know that there’s so many footpaths that need repairs.”
Ms Hickey said she would take a different position on Ms Johnston’s signature issue.
“I don’t want us waiting 10 years before someone can make a decision on light rail,” she said.
“Let’s build the houses. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to work with [State Development, Construction and Housing] Minister Ferguson because I think when he sees the opportunities – there’s a lot of land available for medium-density affordable properties.”
No date has been announced for the council by-elections in Glenorchy and Kingston caused by the election of Ms Johnston and Labor’s Dean Winter.
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