Minister announces new councillor for Tablelands Regional Council

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli has approved Marjorie Pagani’s recommendation by Tablelands Regional Council to become a councillor.

A local barrister and businesswoman from Tolga, Ms Pagani will become the councillor for Division Six after no one nominated for the position before April’s Local Government elections.

After the election, 52 people nominated for the role during the Expression of Interest process, with the Minister asking Mayor Rosa Lee Long and councillors to select a suitable candidate.

“Communities deserve the right to choose the person who will best serve them,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Obviously, people should be able to vote for their choice, but Council choosing a candidate is the best option if people fail to nominate for the election.

“While the Act allows for the Minister to appoint someone, it should not be for me to tell a local community who should represent them.”

Mr Crisafulli said he was exploring changing the Local Government Act to enable a by-election to be called if no nominations were received in future elections.

He also plans to again allow Councils to display the names of those who nominate on notice boards at Council Chambers once those nominations come in, instead of the more recent process of displaying them after nominations close.

Media Contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332

Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627

Background: Under Section 34 (2) of the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 (LGEA), if no one is nominated as a candidate in an election, the Local Government Minister can appoint a councillor.