Hobart avoids all-male council but deputy mayor-elect fails to win seat

In Hobart, the Tasmanian Electoral Commission has concluded the vote count for Hobart City Council. Ben Lohberger, who was elected to the deputy mayor position, did not secure a seat on the council. Instead, the deputy mayor will be chosen by the councillors during their first meeting. Hobart has managed to prevent an all-male council, with two women securing their places after the final votes were counted.

However, this means that Ben Lohberger will not be able to assume the role of deputy mayor when the council convenes, as per Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey. The deputy mayor position will be filled by the elected councillors through a ballot around the council table. Hawkey noted that this situation was rare, having occurred only a few times since 1994, typically in smaller councils and regional areas.

Earlier projections suggested a possibility of an all-male council, but Louise Elliot was elected seventh, Zelinda Sherlock ninth, and Charles Wooley, a veteran journalist, was elected as Mayor. The remaining council members will consist of John Kelly, Bill Harvey, Ryan Posselt, Simon Behrakis, Harvey Lennon, and Mike Dutta.