Candidate Responses
2026 Local Government Elections
Local Government elections are underway across lutruwita/Tasmania, with voting closing at 2pm on Tuesday 27 October.
As a community organisation, the Furneaux Collective invited all eight Flinders Council candidates to answer four questions about the future of our islands, community priorities and working together.
Four candidates responded, and we thank them for taking the time to contribute. Their responses are published as provided, helping our community hear directly from those standing for Council.
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1. What does a flourishing Furneaux Islands community look like to you – and what role does Council play in helping create it?
A flourishing Furneaux Islands community to me is one of happy, engaged people, that value and enjoy the Islands we have. They can earn a living on Island, and their children have opportunity to stay should they wish too. That the elderly are safe in the knowledge they can live out their final days here.
The further I travel, the more I realise how untouched our islands are in comparison to other places and how lucky we are to live here. There aren’t many places your children can run as free as ours do and be safe, It’s the best place to grow up.
I would love another industry on Island that is sustainable and freight cost effective. I would like to see either subsidised flights for Island Residents or tax incentives. I think Council can help in this space by stepping in outside of its rates, roads and rubbish role in support of sustainable ideas by the way of a rate reduction, waiver of fees for a certain period or maybe donation of land for new industry or in a supporting role of advocacy. All blue sky thinking. There are lots of reasons why none of those ideas can come to pass but maybe some of them can. As an Island we also continue to find ways to be more self-sufficient and sustainable. Water security for our potentially growing townships and farming enterprises is always on my mind.
2. With many competing priorities, how would you decide what matters most for the Furneaux Islands Community?
I would decide what matters most by listening to what our community is saying. Right now, from listening, it is ageing in place, housing and the planning scheme. Our Council had to spend a million dollars for the fairer, faster Tasmanian planning scheme and I would have to say I don’t think it is any of those words currently.
3. What becomes possible when Council and community organisations work well together?
I think greater outcomes can be achieved because working together is a greater force than what hate and underhandedness can ever achieve. We are all members of the human race, and every person has something to value and contribute.
4. As a candidate for Flinders Island do you support further reducing your Council to five numbers?
I am not against reducing our council to a number of five people, but the Local Govt. Association will have to find some way to mitigate against Councillors being charged with conflict of interest. In small Councils such as ours so many of us are in different groups and organisations and own land. We have just recently had a case where none of the councillors could vote on an item as we all had perceived conflict of interest.
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1. What does a flourishing Furneaux Islands community look like to you - and what role does Council play in helping create it?
Most folk who live on the Furneaux islands have a deep love for this place. We thrive when we can find common ground or can constructively compromise to ensure that our home maintains the benefits we have come to love, whilst acknowledging the changing world that we live in. Council can help by making sure that the challenges that we face are clearly explained to our community. That all voices are heard and that islanders have ownership of the decisions made.
2. With many competing priorities, how would you decide what matters most for the Furneaux Islands community?
First and foremost, we need to ensure that what we have is not lost. Many of the wonderful resources we have need to be maintained for us to enjoy their benefits. This leaves us needing to source funds to help with big ticket items both to secure assets (like our airport) and to develop for the future (like sealing roads). Beyond these economic constraints my focus is for facilitating activities that help to bond our community towards common purpose.
3. What becomes possible when Council and community organisations work well together?
Community organisations are essential because they inform council of where people are willing to spend energy for their island. Council can then examine their desires and intent, to determine how best to support them. Council can’t do all of the things we would like, but working with community the possibilities are far greater.
4. As a candidate for Flinders Island do you support further reducing your Council to five members?
I understand why this has come up, because there is an opportunity to save money at the state level. I believe this would be a false saving however. Council needs to be representative of the community and just because there are less of us doesn’t mean there are less views to be represented. A reduction in the number of councillors would be a reduction in the level of democratic representation. I oppose it.
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1. What does a flourishing Furneaux Islands community look like to you - and what role does Council play in helping create it?
In a small community Council becomes the "go to" destination for issues outside rates, roads and rubbish. Issues such as boat ramps, gyms, vet clinics etc normally fall outside of Councils purview. However, on Flinders Councillors and staff have an intimate relationship with the community and so Council control parameters go far outside a City Council’s responsibilities. Here Council, Councillors and staff willingly take on those extra challenges to support the future development and survival of the community, economically, health wise and environmentally.
2. With many competing priorities, how would you decide what matters most for the Furneaux Islands community?
Council is limited in the budget constraints it exists under. For instance, rate income just covers our staff wage expenditure alone. There are specific expenditures which must be met, like the 3 R's but the priorities other than that relate to the sustainable community we wish to maintain and grow without sacrificing the things which are important to us such as lifestyle, safety, protection of our environment, history and culture. Priorities for me are health, expanding our aged care facility, freight equalisation for foodstuffs, housing and anything which helps reduce the cost of living and transport for Islanders.
3. What becomes possible when Council and community organisations work well together?
Community Groups have been a lifeblood for Communities like Flinders. Unfortunately, volunteering has been in decline for support groups Australia wide. Ageing members is an issue as are the demands on young working families where we would hope our next generation of volunteers would come from. Groups like the Furneaux Collective are vital to small communities such as ours as Lions, CWA and others struggle for membership. With viable support groups we can be almost self-sufficient in a world currently of hardship and turmoil. Living in the best place in the world we should always recognise how fortunate we are and it falls to us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle, environment and safety we have all enjoyed. God bless Flinders and the Furneaux Group Community.
4. As a candidate for Flinders Island do you support further reducing your Council to five members?
I do not support reduction in Councillor numbers for Flinders Council. Less than 7 creates problems gaining a quorum for meetings because of conflicts of interest which arise in a small community when Councillors represent so many support groups and public committees. I support the reduction in larger Councils to max 9.
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1. What does a flourishing Furneaux Islands community look like to you, and what role does Council play in helping create it?
A flourishing community is one where people can build a life here at every stage, with housing, services, opportunities, community organisations and places to connect. Council cannot create community on its own, people do that. But Council can help create the conditions for it to flourish through good infrastructure, sensible planning, strong advocacy and support for local organisations. In a small remote community, that also sometimes means stepping into gaps that government or the market might fill somewhere larger.
2. With many competing priorities, how would you decide what matters most for the Furneaux Islands community?
There will always be more good ideas than money or capacity to deliver them. I would consider Council’s legal responsibilities, risk, urgency, affordability, long-term impact and the evidence available, alongside community views. Good engagement also means listening beyond the loudest voices, because not everyone attends meetings, completes surveys or comments publicly. Sometimes the most popular decision today is not necessarily the one that best serves the community tomorrow. My responsibility is to ask questions, get answers and make the best-informed decision I can.
3. What becomes possible when Council and community organisations work well together?
Much more than either can achieve alone. Community organisations bring local knowledge, volunteers, ideas and strong connections. Council can provide support through infrastructure, funding opportunities, advocacy, staff expertise and links with other levels of government. Working together does not mean Council has to run everything. Sometimes its best role is simply to enable a community organisation to get on with doing what it does well. In a community our size, collaboration helps limited resources go further and gives good ideas a much better chance of becoming reality.
4. Do you support further reducing Flinders Council to five members?
I am open to reducing Flinders Council to five members, but I believe the community should have a genuine say before that decision is made. A smaller Council may have benefits, but it also creates risks around workload, quorum, conflicts of interest and having fewer elected voices around the table. I would want those issues properly considered, along with safeguards such as remote participation where appropriate. If those concerns can be addressed and community consultation supports the change, I would support moving to five councillors.
2026 Local Government Elections – Flinders Council
Voting is compulsory. Your vote must be received by 2pm Tuesday 27 October 2026. Late votes will not be counted.
Elections
Councillors: 7 positions, 8 candidates
Mayor: 2 candidates
Deputy Mayor: 1 candidate (no ballot required)
Elected representatives will serve until October 2030. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor must also be elected as councillors to take office.
What's in your postal voting pack?
2 ballot papers: Brown for councillors, green for Mayor
Ballot paper envelope: Smaller envelope with wider flap – you must sign it
Reply-paid envelope: Larger envelope for returning your vote
Candidate statements and voting instructions
How to vote
1. Read the candidate statements
Get to know your candidates before voting. Statements are published as supplied by candidates.
2. Complete your ballot papers
Councillors: Number candidates 1–8 in order of preference (at least 5 boxes must be numbered).
Mayor: Number candidates 1 and 2 in order of preference (at least 1 box must be numbered).
3. Keep your vote secret
Place both ballot papers in the smaller ballot paper envelope and seal it.
4. Sign your envelope
Sign the declaration on the envelope flap and leave the flap attached. Without your signature, your vote won't count. Your identifying details are removed before votes are opened.
5. Return your vote
Place the signed ballot paper envelope inside the larger reply-paid envelope and seal it. Post it promptly (no stamp required) or deliver it to the Flinders Council office.
Don't leave it too late!
Postal delivery takes several days. Your vote must arrive by 2pm Tuesday 27 October 2026.
Failure to vote may result in a fine.
Questions? Call the Tasmanian Electoral Commission on 1800 801 701.
Authorised by Richard Broome, Vice President Furneaux Collective Inc. Lot 20A Armstrong Ave, Killiecrankie 7255