Deputy mayor candidate could be sacked if suspension is upheld
Hobart councillor and deputy mayor candidate Louise Elliot is appealing a third suspension handed down by a code of conduct panel during the current term of council. If upheld, the minister could be called in to sack her.
A Hobart councillor, Louise Elliot, is facing potential removal from council if her appeal against a third suspension is unsuccessful. The suspension was handed down by an independent panel after a finding of harassment from fellow councillor Ryan Posselt, who submitted the complaint in May 2025. The panel determined that Elliot had committed four breaches of the code of conduct, leading to a one-month suspension and an apology to Posselt.
However, Elliot has appealed the decision, meaning the suspension has not yet taken effect. If she is re-elected in the current local government elections, the Minister for Local Government has the option to remove her from council even though she is re-elected. Elliot is running for both a councillor position and deputy mayor in Hobart.
The complaint included five instances of harassment, with the panel upholding four of them. Elliot disputed being found guilty of harassment and stated she would continue to breach the code of conduct to draw attention to her concerns. The panel also found Elliot in breach for not moderating offensive comments on her Facebook page.
If her suspension is upheld and she is re-elected, she will serve the suspension in the next council term, and the Minister can choose to sack her.
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