Hobart City councillor Louise Elliot suspended after code of conduct finding

A Hobart City Councillor has been suspended for 30 days after a code of conduct complaint was made against her. She has now spoken out on the decision >>

HOBART, AUSTRALIA, OCTOBER 7th, 2023. Hobart City councillor Louise Elliot campaigning against the Indigenous vote to parliament in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

A suspended Hobart City councillor has confirmed she has appealed the decision against her, saying she is being targeted for refusing to conform to a “woke, politically-correct, super-safe” political narrative.

As revealed by the Mercury, outspoken Louise Elliot has been suspended from council for one month — but nobody is saying exactly why.

It’s understood Ms Elliot has been suspended after an adverse finding in a Code of Conduct complaint against her determined by the Office of Local Government.

In a statement issued on Friday, Ms Elliot confirmed she lodged an appeal at the Hobart Magistrates Court on January 24.

Anti trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen and Hobart City councillor Louise Elliot outside the Tasmanian Parliament as Equality Tasmania and LGBTQI+ supporters counter protest the Let Women Speak rally. Picture: Chris Kidd

She characterised her suspension as part of wider culture where politicians were attacked if they did not conform to a “woke mantra”.

“The paperwork I received from the Panel was heavily branded confidential with a penalty of $10,000 for speaking about it, yet the Lord Mayor is telling the world. One rule for me, one rule for others, it seems,” Ms Elliot said.

“What’s happening to me is part of a broader attack on local government representatives across the country. The bar is being set lower and lower, so that councillors can no longer do what they were elected to do. Even if one person could find something offensive or disrespectful, you’re in hot water.

“Being part of a democracy is hearing views we disagree with and don’t like, but the code of conduct is being used to silence people and force compliance.

“There goes our functioning democracy and true representation. Communication from our political representatives will just be happy snaps and promoting the latest woke mantra.”

Ms Elliot said she was punished for speaking her mind.

“I don’t follow the woke, politically-correct, super-safe narratives that career politicians feel they need to for their own self-preservation,” she said.

“I say what’s true and my fair opinion, and many people agree with me.”

Ms Elliot said councillors were not treated equally under the code of conduct process, referring to a caution issued to Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds following a complaint by Ms Elliot.

The complaint was over an interaction between the pair at a public meeting.

“It’s a farce and again shows that the Code of Conduct process is badly broken,” Ms Elliot said.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has been cautioned after she breached the code of conduct in an interaction, involving now councillor Louise Elliot, at a public meeting in May last year.

Hobart City councillor suspended

Outspoken Hobart City Councillor Louise Elliot has been suspended from council for one month — but nobody is saying exactly why.

Ms Elliot sparked speculation during the week when she posted a photo message including her campaign material on social media site X, with a black line through the word councillor and the words Hobart Community member substituted.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds confirmed Ms Elliot had been suspended, but said she could say no more.

Ms Elliot is expected to miss two council meetings during her 30 day suspension.

The Mercury understands that Ms Elliot has been suspended after an adverse finding in a Code of Conduct complaint against her determined by the Office of Local Government.

The outcome of code of conduct complaints is usually appended to council agendas, although no such determination was attached to this week’s agenda, which was published on Wednesday afternoon.

Post by Louise Elliot on social media site X.

Ms Elliot is listed as being absent from next Monday’s meeting.

The Mercury understands that she has appealed the decision, although her suspension has not been stayed.

It is likely the appeal will not be heard until after she has completed her sentence.

Ms Elliot did not respond to requests for comment.

The prolific social media poster did leave a post which possibly gave a further hint.

“I signed up to represent the community as a councillor. Most of the community agree with my views on women’s rights, biology and reality. I didn’t sign up to have beliefs forced on me. I didn’t sign up to be disciplined for wrong think,” she said in another post on X.

Ms Elliot has been an outspoken campaigner against transgender women being included in women’s spaces.

Hobart City Councillor Louise Elliot. Picture: Chris Kidd

The model code of conduct for Tasmanian councillors include provisions that they “treat all persons fairly; and must not cause any reasonable person offence or embarrassment; and must not bully or harass any person.”

Councillor Ryan Posselt joined the council at the last election.

He was unable to comment on Ms Elliot, but made general comments that it was important for local government representatives to conduct themselves appropriately.

“Councillors hold an important role in the community and it is appropriate they are held to a certain standard of behaviour,” he said.

“Councillors should be setting a standard of leadership that inspires others and lifts the conversation.”

City of Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt will run for Labor in the seat of Clark at the next state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Director of Local Government Mathew Healey said a determination report had been finalised in relation to a complaint, but remained confidential because it was being reviewed.

Mr Healey said elected members were required to comply with certain standards.

“All Tasmanian councillors are bound under the Local Government Act 1993 to comply with the Local Government Code of Conduct, which sets expectations for appropriate standards of behaviour and conduct of elected members,” he said.

“The Code of Conduct is enforced by an independent panel established to investigate and determine complaints involving alleged breaches of the code and empowered to issue sanctions against councillors found in breach.

“Sanctions under the code can range from a caution to a suspension of up to three months in more serious circumstances.

“A person aggrieved by a code of conduct determination can apply to the Magistrates Court for a review of that decision.”