Young and ambitious: Tassie local government candidates want to shake up councils

Four young Tasmanians want to give local government a fresh look. Watch the footage to find out why they are standing.

WITH just days to vote in local government elections, four young candidates are imploring Tasmanians to have their say to shape the future.

Data from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission shows about 67 per cent of ballot papers have been returned.

“To be sure ballot papers are received on time people should drop them into local councils where there are ballot boxes,” Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said.

L-R Toby Thorpe Huon Valley Council, Bhavika Sharma Glenorchy City Council, Matt Etherington Hobart City Council. Young candidates in the Tasmanian local government elections. Picture: Craig Warhurst

Ballot papers must be returned by 2pm on Tuesday.

At just 20, Toby Thorpe and Jack Cavanagh say local government is important in young people’s lives, while Bhavika Sharma, 23 and Matt Etherington, 27, believe a blend of young and older councillors is in the community’s best interests.

20 year old Jack Cavanagh is Greens candidate for Brighton Council. Picture: Supplied

Mr Etherington, a former Tasmanian Young Achiever of the Year and Hobart Young Citizen of the Year, is running for Hobart City Council and says diversity “is incredibly important to make good decisions as a community”.

“I’ve recognised that through my volunteering in migrant support, mental health and positive ageing,” he said.

“Young people often feel left behind by decision makers.

“Young leaders need the support and wisdom of respected elders to encourage them and carry forward important lessons, while bringing fresh perspectives.”

Law student Bhavika Sharma, 23, is standing for the Glenorchy City Council and believes the older and younger generations need to work together “to have the ‘best of both worlds’ approach”.

L-R Matt Etherington Hobart City Council, Toby Thorpe Huon Valley Council, Bhavika Sharma Glenorchy City Council. Young candidates in the Tasmanian local government elections. Picture: Craig Warhurst

“Young people need to stand in elections because their thoughts, their journey, their experience, and their methods all come from ‘today’,” she said.

“Without voting, you cannot participate in creating change. Our older generations have fought for us to have voting rights, and that is why it is so important to use this right effectively.”

Mr Cavanagh is representing the Greens and hopes “an appetite for progressive change” will see him elected to the Brighton Council.

“I know that most young people are pretty unengaged with politics and I think that this needs to change as issues like climate change and housing affordability will affect young people the greatest in future,” he said.

“A number of people have told me they think that Greens are disruptive and ‘anti-everything’ and I think this couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Former Young Tasmanian of the Year Toby Thorpe is running for deputy mayor at the Huon Valley Council and says every council has to deal with housing affordability, community services and training.

“When people ask me why a young person would stand the answer is simple, we are 100 per cent of the future.

“I encourage everybody, young and old, to really think about who they are supporting at these elections because in the scheme of things a lot can be done in four years, and also a lot can be missed.”