Hobart's new lord mayor pledges to 'turn the ship around'

The recently elected council in Hobart, plagued by internal strife and social media disputes, has officially sworn in its new lord mayor. The new mayor, Charles Wooley, has vowed to "turn the ship around" during the council's swearing-in ceremony. The council's deputy lord mayor will be chosen by the councillors during their first meeting on November 16.

Hobart's council has garnered attention in recent years for infighting, code-of-conduct violations, and social media altercations, with the latest election campaign featuring personal attacks between candidates, including accusations of ageism, ongoing debates over snack-gate, and a heated confrontation involving a lord mayor hopeful's parents at a forum.

Prior to the recent council, acting Director of Local Government Luke Gregory had cautioned councillors to refrain from disrespectful and demeaning conduct at meetings or face formal repercussions. The nine newly elected representatives, seven of whom served on the previous council, included Wooley, a veteran 60 Minutes reporter.

At the ceremony, Wooley expressed his lack of interest in political power or social engineering, stating his focus would be on being a "people's mayor." He urged fellow elected members to leave political allegiances at the door and work towards the well-being of the people of Hobart.