Tasmanian councils vote to ditch the title alderman for councillor

THE push to cut gendered titles from council positions is now in the hands of the State Government.

Burnie City Council alderman Amina Keygan’s motion to end the use of the title “alderman” was passed at the LGAT conference. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

ALL elected representatives of future Tasmanian local authorities may be known as councillors after councils voted to ditch the “outdated” word alderman from the Local Government Act.

A motion for change was presented at Wednesday’s Local Government Association of Tasmania conference at Wrest Point.

The motion was presented by Burnie City Council alderman Amina Keygan who described the word as outdated and confusing.

PUSH TO CUT GENDERED COUNCIL TITLES HEATS UP

“I have put this motion forward for several reasons,” she told the meeting.

“The first is to allay confusion that is apparent in our communities and across the several tiers of government between representatives of cities called aldermen and representatives of smaller communities known as councillors.

“The largest city council in Australia, Brisbane City Council, refers to their elected officials as councillors.”

Ald Keygan said the origin of the word alderman meant old man, which prompted laughter from the majority male crowd.

Her motion passed with 48 votes in favour, four against and two no votes.

Such an amendment would affect the six councils that are defined as cities — Burnie, Clarence, Devonport, Glenorchy, Hobart and Launceston.

After the conference, Ald Keygan said she was delighted with the outcome and it was now in the hands of the State Government.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein.

It comes as Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein updated LGAT on the proposed review of the Local Government Act, with the draft terms of reference now available for public comment.

“The review will be used to develop, in close collaboration with the local government sector, a best practice, 21st century framework,” Mr Gutwein said.

He said the review would include; appropriate legislation to support the transparent setting of council revenue, rates and charges; and local government electoral provisions, including options for enhancing both voter and candidate participation in local government elections.

Mr Gutwein has left any future push for council amalgamations to communities and councils themselves.

The Tasmanian Anglican Church’s decision to sell off property to help fund a national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse was also discussed.