Effective leadership is something every council needs and it requires flexibility, collegiality and teamwork of all elected members for it to happen. But that’s easier said than done, especially in the City of Hobart.

Many think winning a seat at the local council chamber’s table is the hardest part of the job. This is a myth. The day you are elected is the day your hard work begins.

You may have campaigned for change but it's wise to put time into understanding the mechanics of your council before you start trying to overhaul it. You wouldn’t do it as a new employee, for example. You need to first understand how things work inside the organisation before heralding alterations

Even when you are sitting in the chamber debating motions or putting forward one yourself, it’s not just about a pure contest of ideas. Instead, it’s about accepting that you may need to alter your vision to accommodate the often valid points of view of other councillors. Everyone at the table has earned their place there through the support of those who voted for them. Each of us represents just a portion of the community so it makes sense that the outcome of a motion may be the result of input from more than a single elected member.

The alternative is a feudal system where only a single person has a say in major decisions. It’s expected that elected members possess the maturity to accept that their idea may need to be tempered so that the room accepts it and votes it through.

For a councillor to change or temper their decision they need access to all relevant data and information available. We need access to relevant reports, workshops and available educational resources which can be overwhelmingly large. Sharing and discussing the data is how a council effectively makes decisions. We have a responsibility to be diligent in verifying the information we are given.

During a recent debate, I asked how much parking revenue is lost when a car park is converted to a dining area. Until recently unless I actively chased it up with staff, I would not get an answer.

In a recent debate over the removal of the Crowther Statue, it was reported as a “common” type of statue for Tasmania. I asked for the term “common” to be clarified. Again, no information was forthcoming until I asked a question months later again in council. This information is central to this debate, and it should be provided freely. 

Without access to all available information, including data that may display evidence that “goes against the grain” we could be railroaded into decisions.

Without access to important information, I can’t cast an educated vote which is my job. In short, effective leadership is stifled.

I hope that my recent successful motion dictating that any question “taken on notice” be provided at the following meeting as an addendum will solve this issue going forward.

This same principle should also be applied to the State Government which refuses to supply all data we need to vote on the new AFL stadium. If 23,000 patrons attend an event at the stadium, where will they park? We are told that the 8,500 spots on Hobart’s streets will suffice. This includes all car parks outside our homes on every street from South Hobart, North Hobart, West Hobart and beyond. How about livability for residents during these occasions? 

As elected members we need access to all of the data available. Without it, we cannot successfully lead our community with their best interests in mind.

I hope to see our council grow with collegiality, maturity and flexibility so that our leadership for the ratepayers will bring the best possible outcomes for 2024.