A Hobart City Councillor says she has made the “very hard decision” to rule herself out of the upcoming state election race.
“This decision has been one of the hardest of my life,” Louise Elliot said moments after Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed the state’s election date.
“As a born and bred Hobartian, my love for our city could not be stronger. I have a lot to give and know that many keen for me to represent them.”
Instead, she said there was “no shortage of work ahead” in her role at the city council, having recently returned from a 30-day suspension after serving just 16 days of it.
“The time isn’t right for me with a young family and there’s so much that needs addressing in the Council, from value for rates, its financial situation, genuine community engagement, a culture of discrimination and bullying and much more,” she said.
Elliot was tipped to join the Liberals, with Labor’s Clark MP Ella Haddad saying her addition to the blue team would push the party ‘even further’ to the right.
“Controversial and far right councillor Louise Elliot should make it clear whether or not she’s planning to use her suspension as a launching board into a campaign to bring the Liberal party further to the right,” Haddad said earlier this month.
“If she does announce her intention to run, it will be another blow to Jeremy Rockliff’s failing leadership, with the Premier’s moderate viewpoints already under attack.”
In response, Elliot said: “Since when is believing in owner’s rights and the need for some female only sports and spaces “far right”? Since when is believing that freedom of belief and speech are fundamental to our democracy is “far right”.”
“Since when is valuing fairness and freedom “far right”? I think it’s Labor that has lost touch, not me.”
