Tony Peck
Launceston alderman Tony Peck says Tasmanian mayors should not have any input into Local Government Minister Bryan Green's decision whether or not to delay October's council elections.
Alderman Peck said yesterday it was ''morally wrong'' for mayors to be advocating to have the election date moved to 2014.
''The mayors are calling to leave it (elections) a year . . . that means all the mayors get a free year with all the perks of the mayor's office,'' Alderman Peck said.
''That would mean half the councillors get an extra year in their term and the other half in Tasmania get a year cut short.
''The mayors shouldn't have a say in it - they've got a pecuniary interest.''
Alderman Peck said the simplest formula was to hold an election in October and another in 2015, where new local government legislation would see all councillors and mayors go up for election.
Last week, Local Government Association of Tasmania president Barry Easter said 26 mayors supported a delay.
''All the people who put their hand forward to be elected this year know well in advance that it is only for two years,'' Alderman Peck said.
''If the minister does it that's fine, but he is wrong in assessing and taking notice of the 26 mayors.''
