Divisions
- About Tasmanian councils
- The Future of Local Government in Tasmania
- Board of Inquiry - Dorset Council
- Managing conflicts of interest of councillors
- Councillor misconduct and council employment consultation
- Local Government Learning and Development Framework
- Councillor Resources
- Council performance
- Local Government Legislation and Reviews
- Cemetery, Crematorium and Prescribed/Regulated Business Management
- Complaints and Investigations
- Local Government Code of Conduct
- Premier's Local Government Council
- Local Government Board
- Tasmanian Council directory
- Local Government Elections 2022
Contact Details
By phone
Find the number of a specific division or office to contact them directly or call Service Tasmania on 1300 135 513.
Our staff
Use the Tasmanian Government Directory to find staff contact details
Social media
Follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with specific programs and initiatives.
Women and diversity in local government
Since 2014, there has been a steady increase in the number of female candidates standing for local government elections across Tasmania. At the 2022 local government elections, there were 181 female candidates. This is in comparison to 173 female candidates in 2018 and 135 in 2014.
Out of the 181 female candidates at the 2022 local government elections, 106 women were elected as councillors. This includes 18 women elected as Deputy Mayor and 15 as Mayor.
Three LGBTIQA+ candidates also stood for elections, out of which one was elected as a councillor.
As this was the first election since the introduction of compulsory voting through the Local Government Amendment (Elections) Act 2022, the Government sought feedback from community members and stakeholders about ways to improve election processes going forward.
Respondents noted an increase in the number of women and age diverse candidates at the elections. According to one of the respondents,
[t]he drive for diversity in local government was excellent to see and really grows the faith in democratic institutions.
Comparison of women elected at local government elections between 2014 - 2022
The table below compares the number of women elected to council as councillors, deputy mayors and mayors in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Women in Tasmanian councils | 2022 | 2018 | 2014 | ||||
| Elected members | Elected females | Elected females | Elected females | Elected females | Elected females | Elected females |
(no.) | (no.) | (%) | (no.) | (%) | (no.) | (%) | |
Mayors | 29 | 15 | 52% | 11 | 38% | 9 | 31% |
Deputy mayors | 29 | 18 | 62% | 13 | 45% | 8 | 28% |
Councillors | 263 | 106 | 40% | 105 | 40% | 84 | 32% |
Support for women
Although the figures indicate that gender balance on councils is improving, gender representation is still not equal. Women are therefore encouraged to consider standing for council in future elections.
Specific support is available for women in, or who are considering standing for, local government, including:
|
|