Media Release: Call for Action to Protect Local Council Candidates’ Privacy

August 13, 2026

Call for Action to Protect Local Council Candidates’ Privacy 

13 August 2026

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC today welcomed an undertaking provided by the Local Government Minister, Kerry Vincent MLC, to investigate providing local council candidates legitimate alternatives to the current requirements to publish a residential address on election materials, for the upcoming October elections.

“After raising these concerns publicly and with Minister Kerry Vincent, it is good news to hear the Minister will investigate providing local government candidates contesting the October elections alternatives to having to publish their private home addresses,” Ms Webb said.

“We need a common-sense solution to a serious problem, which we know is preventing some potentially good candidates from throwing their hat in the ring to represent their local communities.

“I have been contacted by members of the public saying they have decided to not exercise their democratic right to participate in these local elections due to feeling their, and their families, safety could be compromised by the requirement to have their residential address published on all election materials, including social media.

“These requirements particularly impact people wishing to run as independent candidates.

“Where Political Parties have an office, their endorsed candidates can use that office address to meet those legal requirements.

“It is an important democratic principle to ensure as level a playing field as possible for all Tasmanians to participate fully in our elections, and this interim measure to address real privacy and safety concerns is a significant step towards strengthening our democracy.

Ms Webb noted any proposed solution for the October elections would be interim only, and it would be appropriate for the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to examine potential long-term solutions for both future State and local Council elections.

“Unfortunately, the Electoral Matters Committee of which I am Chair currently is prevented from examining local government elections due to its limited Terms of Reference.  I also welcome the Minister indicating he is open to discussions regarding broadening our brief so the Committee can undertake a proper examination to identify potential long-term solutions,” Ms Webb said.

Text of Today’s Question Meg Webb MLC asked Local Government Minister, Kerry Vincent, Legislative Council Question Time, Thursday 13 August 2026:

Question to the Minister for Local Government

My Question is for the Minister for Local Government regarding the October local council elections.

Minister, you would be aware of recent privacy and safety concerns raised by prospective candidates for the upcoming local council elections regarding the legal requirement to publicly disclose a residential address as part of advertising authorisations on their election material.

I am being contacted by community members wishing to run as independent candidates, who feel even further disadvantaged by these concerns as they do not have access to a Party office street address which other candidates may have available to them as an alternative option.

Minister, in light of those concerns, the need to balance our democratic responsibility to ensure electors are confident in the validity of those seeking to represent them, as well as the need, sadly, to protect the physical and online safety of those seeking election: –  my question is:

  • firstly, what plans, if any, does the government have to consult with stakeholders to identify a practical solution which can be brought into effect before the close of council nominations of 12 noon Monday the 21st of September?;
  • secondly, how will you seek to ensure any alternative options are communicated and promoted to ensure any prospective candidates are aware of them, including covering any promotional costs incurred by any efforts to raise awareness of alternative options ?; and
  • lastly, is it not a fact that a long term solution is required?  In light of the fact the Current Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ terms of reference excludes examination of local government elections, are you open to future discussions regarding the possible expansion of that Committee’s brief?

You can listen to Meg speak on ABC Hobart Radio Breakfast Program with Ryk Goddard on the 7th of August 2026 here