Matthew Garwood and Tim Walker will run for mayor after Danny Gibson resignation

The shock resignation of a Tassie mayor means a by-election will be held, with two candidates already eyeing off the top job — including a former contestant of reality show The Voice.

Outgoing Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson. Picture: Facebook

Launceston singer turned local councillor Matthew Garwood will be one of the candidates running for mayor after the resignation of Danny Gibson on Monday.

A by-election will be held to elect a new mayor after Mr Gibson announced he would be stepping down from the leadership, but continuing on as a councillor.

In a statement, Mr Gibson said he’d been pushed to breaking point by speculation, vile attacks and attempts to destroy his reputation, in relation to the review into his working with vulnerable children registration.

Because the resignation is that of a mayor it means a by-election will be held, rather than a recount.

As was the case for local government elections seven months ago, there will not be a polling day for the by-election, instead it will be conducted via postal ballot.

For Launceston’s 50,000 electors, voting is compulsory.

“There’ll be a three or four-week period for [ballots] to go out in the mail before counting is undertaken,” Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said.

“We still have to discuss the dates, but we expect to have completed the election period by mid-July.”

Matthew Garwood, who is serving his first term on council, has stepped up as acting mayor and hopes to make the position permanent.

“I’m doing the job in an acting role, to me it’s the next step,” Mr Garwood said.

“It’s been an intense seven months … I’ve loved every second, from the hard decisions to the easy and uncontentious.”

Launceston acting mayor Matthew Garwood in 2017. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Garwood is known for his singing career and for appearing on The Voice.

He said if elected there were many things he’d like to work on.

“There’s a lot we’re already doing … I want to start looking at how we can start engaging our youth and community and get them proud of being Launcestonians,” he said.

“It’s about having a transparent council and ensuring people feel comfortable and that the councillors are accessible.”

Last year Tim Walker was runner up for the position of Launceston mayor, and now he’s decided to have another go at the role.

“In the end Danny won that election fairly comfortably which is understandable, he was deputy mayor then, he was always going to be the one to beat,” Mr Walker said.

Tim Walker will be running for Launceston mayor. Picture: Tim Walker.

“It’s a more open field this time … I want to have an influence and impact on our community.”

Mr Walker, who has served since 2018, said the mayor’s role was important in building relationships with the government and the community.

“I think now is a time when council can refocus its energies on listening to the community and addressing the problems we face,” he said.

“Across Tasmania we face serious issues about homelessness, population growth and law and order.”

‘Breaking point’: Mayor’s shock move to step down

May 15, 12:45pm

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson has resigned, citing the toll of “speculation” and “vile attacks” surrounding a review into his working with vulnerable children registration as having pushed him to “breaking point”.

In a statement on Facebook on Monday afternoon, Mr Gibson said “after careful consideration” he made the “difficult decision” to step down as mayor.

“I have loved being mayor and given it my all – more than my all – but the past few weeks have been too much,” Mr Gibson said.

He cited being the “target of speculation, rumour and vile attacks” over reports and “persistent and relentless questioning” over the status of his Working with Vulnerable People Registration as the reason for his decision.

His resignation comes after an April statement in which Mr Gibson said he “intended to continue” to fulfil his mayoral duties.

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson with City of Launceston's Creative Arts and Cultural Services general manager Shane Fitzgerald and cosplayers Dan Chugg, Kaleb Lee, Chris Stephens, Amy de Wit and Brandon Richardson. Picture: Supplied

“ … And I am, of course, complying with all obligations under the Registration to Work With Vulnerable People Act 2013 while this review takes place,” he wrote at the time.

The Mercury has previously reported that Mr Gibson had not been informed by the Department of Justice as to why his registration was placed under review in March.

ABC News reported the department was undertaking the review.

In his statement on Monday afternoon, Mr Gibson said while he was “devastated” to be stepping down, he believed it was in the “best interests of Launceston” – adding that he could not lead “appropriately with such misplaced focus”.

“I want to reiterate that no final resolution regarding my registration has been arrived at, which has created a vacuum in which the worst possible claims have circulated,” Mr Gibson wrote.

Mr Gibson said the claims had pushed his mental health to “breaking point”.

“Claims and allegations are being made, not in a court of law, or by any authority, but online and through the ABC where I have little chance to properly defend myself,” he wrote.

“I wish I had the strength to rise above it, to battle through it, but my mental health has reached breaking point.”

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson with Stacy File and James Harding, festival directors of BeerFest Australia. Picture: Alex Treacy

He said he was unhappy that the “focus” had switched from Launceston, to him.

“It is clear that the individuals spreading smear, innuendo and outright lies about me will stop at nothing in their attempts to destroy me and my reputation,” he wrote.

“The issue has taken a massive toll on my wellbeing and it has become a distraction from the important work of the city of Launceston.”

He said resigning was the “hardest decision” he’d ever made.

“I have loved being mayor and I’m proud to have given my absolute all in the service of the community I love,” he wrote.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman said they were unable to comment on the progress of Mr Gibson’s registration review.

“Section 54 of the Registration to Work With Vulnerable People Act 2013 prohibits the regulator commenting on the registration status of individuals,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Gibson’s resignation will be effective as of Tuesday, May 16.

It was previously reported that Mr Gibson held the registration to undertake work in coaching and tuition, and in the performing arts – but that it was not needed to perform his mayoral duties.

Mr Gibson became Mayor of Launceston in 2022 and previously held the position of Deputy Mayor.