Tasmania’s Legislative Council elections have been pushed back to May 24, moving from the original May 3 date which is now widely expected to be the day of the federal election.
Justice Minister Guy Barnett signed off on the new timetable after consulting the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC), with the Governor officially issuing the updated proclamation.
The change avoids a scheduling clash with the federal poll and ensures newly elected members can still take part in the state budget estimates process, according to the TEC.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to officially announce the federal election for May 3, which would have directly overlapped with the state’s Upper House vote.
This year’s Legislative Council elections will decide the representatives for three divisions.
Montgomery is currently held by Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt, Nelson is represented by Independent Meg Webb and Pembroke is held by Labor’s Luke Edmunds.
Under the revised schedule, writs will be issued and the electoral roll will close at 6pm on Tuesday, April 15.
Nominations open at 9am the next day and close at 12 noon on Thursday, May 1.
Polling day will now fall on Saturday, May 24, with booths open from 8am to 6pm.
The TEC has reminded voters that these elections are “not to be confused” with the separate Australia-wide federal election, though compulsory voting does apply to both.
