Latest news with #StephenParry
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Scandal, division and rumours - Gore District Council's tumultuous term
It's been a tumultuous three years at the Gore District Council with a heated election in 2022 ending in a close call and New Zealand's youngest ever mayor; a fallout between the new mayor and long-serving chief executive; scandal; division; and murmurs of central government intervention. But two-and-a-half years on, how is the council and the community faring now? And what does October's election hold? Timothy Brown reports. "The first year was a shambles. It was an absolute shambles - a train wreck." Former Gore mayor Tracy Hicks doesn't mince his words in assessing the reign of his successor. Hicks, a six-term incumbent, lost the mayoralty to then-23-year-old Ben Bell by only eight votes in October 2022. About 100 voting papers were left blank and more than 4300 eligible voters did not even bother. The tight contest followed an election campaign described by one veteran councillor as the ugliest he had witnessed . There were nasty rumours about salacious photos and Bell's sexuality, with mud slung at the opposing candidate by both camps. Following his election, Bell and then-chief executive Stephen Parry shared a fractious relationship which left the men unable to communicate without an intermediary . Gore Mayor Ben Bell. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon An aborted vote of no confidence in Bell followed , as did petitions calling on Parry to resign , failed mediation , and ultimately Parry's resignation and a new chief executive being appointed . RNZ has attempted to speak to the key players of the past three years and everyday Gore residents. Numerous attempts have been made to interview Bell about his first-term - even travelling to Gore to meet with him. However, on the morning of the agreed interview, Bell pulled out at short notice; was unable or unwilling to re-schedule; and has not responded to subsequent efforts to make contact. Parry told RNZ he has no interest in being interviewed on the situation either, saying: "I am enjoying a private life". But Hicks and deputy mayor Keith Hovell have been happy to talk. Hicks gives the current council a low four-out-of-ten for its performance under Bell. "You've got to give credit to a number of the individuals around the council table who have done sterling work and never been appreciated for it - in my view anyway - but there are a number that I wouldn't give much credit," he says. Without stating it explicitly, it seems Bell is not one of those whom he credits. "I'm not sure - what's he achieved?" Hicks says. "I've been thinking about that today - what has he achieved? I struggled to find anything concrete to point to and I guess I'm not surprised at that, because he came completely fresh to the scene and, like it or not, local government is quite a different beast and it's not a beast that moves quickly. "So I do feel sorry for him and the fact that you can't make the changes you want quickly, but he promised changes and he promised a number of things along the way that - if I'm wrong, I'm wrong - but I don't see those changes happening." Former Gore mayor Tracy Hicks was a six-term incumbent. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Hicks says if he had won a seventh term, the council would have been more functional and could have avoided reputational damage. Under Bell's watch, rates have risen an average of 11 percent in 2023, 21 percent last year and 8.8 percent this year. It is well in excess of the 5.9 percent, 8.2 percent and 5 percent for the three years prior, however, it is hardly Bell's fault alone and he even opposed the extent of this year's hike. But Hicks says despite escalating rates hikes, the council is still spending far more than it brings in. "Just looking at what the costs of the council have been over the last three years, they're extraordinary," he says. "That really worries me because ... it's something like a 59 percent increase in costs, not in rates, but in costs. In my time I don't know of that ever happening here or anywhere. I think that is a really telling statistic on how the council is functioning." But deputy mayor Keith Hovell, who is stepping aside from local politics after October's elections, does not shy away from the rates rises. "We did what needed to be done to secure the financial stability of the council moving forward. And I would hope that the electorate recognises that," he tells RNZ. Hovell was thrust into the role of deputy mayor after a majority of councillors called for Bell's first choice, Stewart MacDonnell, to step down . The retiring councillor defends the efforts of the council this term. "There have been issues at a governance level and we've worked those through, but there are also some underlying issues that feed into that. As councillors, we believe that we were acting in the best interest of the community with what we've done over the last three years and particularly during that first six months," he says. "We were seen as the bad guys, but we believe we were acting in the best interests of the situation that we faced at the time." Hovell has a "clear conscience" after his time around the council table and he says he looks back on his achievements positively. "I think when you look at what we have managed to achieve over the whole three years, and setting aside the slow start that we had, the advances that we've made in the last two years in particular, I think are serving the community extremely well," he says. Deputy mayor Keith Hovell is stepping aside from local politics after October's elections. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Hovell has often been at the frontline of ructions this term. He was instrumental in the call for Bell to step down as mayor, as well as the aborted no-confidence vote and in blocking the petitions calling for Parry's resignation. "I guess I'd sum it up that I retired and retirement's about doing the things you want to do and I am - but not necessarily the way I want to do them all the time," Hovell says. "We went through our initial period and have found a way forward. So we're working together professionally doing what we need to be doing." So what does he make of Bell's leadership? "Ben does bring a particular skillset, particularly what we're working through at present with the three waters. So from his technical background, he's not only able to provide the leadership that's necessary from a mayor, but also some technical input," Hovell says. But after previously leading a mutiny against the young mayor, does Bell now have his support? "The mayor has my confidence to do the job that we all need to do to see us through over the next four or five months." There is a sense among those in Gore, regardless of where they sit in the district's political spectrum, that time has been lost this term. Bell stood at the 2022 elections as part of the Team Hokonui alliance of candidates. In addition to Bell winning the mayoralty, Team Hokonui council candidates Robert McKenzie and Joe Stringer were elected on a promise of change. McKenzie tells RNZ there has been no discussion of resurrecting the group, though he intends to stand for a second term. "I'm definitely standing and I fully support our young mayor Ben Bell," McKenzie says. "I'm definitely standing because there's work to be done. We wasted the first 18 months on political bullshit." A Gore District Council meeting. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Bell also seems to have the backing of his community. Ratepayers and residents who spoke to RNZ outlined a litany of grievances with the council and the work it is doing, but are supportive of Bell and believe he is trying to do the right thing by ratepayers. While in no way a scientific measure of sentiment, those who spoke to RNZ rated Bell's performance between six and eight out of ten, with all unanimously saying fresh blood is good for the council and they are likely or certain to give Bell a vote for a second term - even those who admitted to not voting for him at the last election. Bell has publicly committed to seeking a second term and others are already putting their hand up to run. It is possible a familiar face will be among them. "A month ago I would have said no, and I haven't made a decision, but I have been quite surprised at the number of people that have approached me," Tracy Hicks says. "I'm fearful of where this community's heading, particularly on the fiscal front and I'm very mindful of what has been gained over the years - over almost a century and a half - developing this as a stunning community ... I think there's a lot to make sure that we don't lose." Hicks says his future is in Gore, but he is not convinced that is true for Bell. "I guess I'd been there a long time - 18 years - you can see why people wanted a change, I don't blame them for that," Hicks says. "But I'm not sure change has delivered anything better. In fact, I think ... it put us back. "In saying that I hold no grudges against Ben. He's a young guy who was out to make his name and make a profile for himself, and he's done that. So good on him for that. Is his long-time future representing Gore district or the Gore community or the eastern Southland community? I'm not sure about that." 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ABC News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Guy Barnett will hand down his first state budget amid challenging times for his party
It's not the ideal setting for Treasurer Guy Barnett's first state budget. After watching the Liberals lose all their Tasmanian Lower House seats at this month's federal election, new EMRS polling released on Monday showed the state Liberal Party slumping below Labor in the polls for the first time since 2009. The government's woes were further compounded on Saturday night, with a poor showing at the Legislative Council elections. The Liberals look set to lose one of their four Upper House seats, with election experts forecasting independent Casey Hiscutt is on track to defeat Liberal Stephen Parry in Montgomery and claim the seat his mother Leonie held for the Liberals since 2013. The Liberals also fell flat in Nelson, where candidate Marcus Vermey has failed to win a single booth off independent Meg Webb, including in the traditional Liberal heartland of Sandy Bay. Ms Webb has so far attracted a whopping 52 per cent of the primary vote, with Mr Vermey well back on 34.1 per cent. Political analyst Kevin Bonham says the result shows the issues with the party's brand aren't confined to the federal election, like frontbencher Felix Ellis tried to suggest this week. "There just seems to be no appetite for voters to elect more government members to the Legislative Council," he said. "Voters want the government to be scrutinised." But Dr Bonham says there's no shame in the Liberals, represented by former senator Stephen Parry, losing the seat of Montgomery. Mr Hiscutt leads Mr Parry by 2.47 per cent on primary votes, with Dr Bonham projecting him to extend that lead when preferences are counted on Thursday. "They [the Liberals] won that seat in 2013 and that was a time when the Liberal brand was soaring high and there was massive resentment to the Labor-Green coalition government in that area of the state. "So it was a smart move for Leonie Hiscutt to run as a Liberal even though previous Hiscutts had been independents. "But at the moment it was not a smart move — if Casey Hiscutt had run as Liberal, someone would have come out and out flanked him as an independent, so he's done the clever thing here." Casey Hiscutt's great uncles Desmond and Hugh Hiscutt were previously members of the Legislative Council in the 1980s and 1990s. Whatever the reason, the Liberals' likely defeat in Montgomery makes things even tougher for the government. The six major party MLCs are outnumbered by eight independents and Green Cassy O'Connor. The Liberals, with just three MLCs — ministers Nick Duigan, Kerry Vincent and Jo Palmer — need the support of five other MLCs to pass legislation. That means either five crossbenchers, or Labor and three independents. It makes it harder for a government already frustrated by the Upper House not passing some of its legislation, like its push to allow certain development applications to bypass local councils. The government will need to display some great negotiation skills to get controversial plans, like its special legislation allowing the Macquarie Point stadium to be built, through the Upper House. Getting three independents to join the Labor Party in supporting the stadium won't be an easy task. The government already had its hands full getting two of Tania Rattray, Bec Thomas, Dean Harriss and Ruth Forrest to support the legislation. Now it'll also have to woo Mr Hiscutt, who says he supports the stadium but wants to scrutinise the legislation before guaranteeing he'll vote for it. The recent blows for the Liberal Party make Mr Barnett's first budget even more important. It needs some good PR to get the public back onside. But that's not an easy task when the state is on track to reach almost $10 billion of debt by 2027-28, and doesn't yet have a concrete date to return to surplus. None of that makes it easy to deliver the kind of big funding injections that put smiles on the faces of Tasmanians. At a press conference on Sunday announcing another year of record health expenditure, Mr Barnett said the budget would contain a "very clear pathway to surplus", but refused to answer whether the document would forecast one being achieved in the next four years. And, crucially, he refused to rule out making some calls that will stir up public opposition, like accelerating public sector spending cuts, or unveiling plans to sell state-owned companies. Here's a snippet from the press conference: Journalist: When will we see [economist] Saul Eslake's report into government business enterprises? Mr Barnett: I'll have more to say about that later this week Journalist: So is that your budget day surprise, you're selling assets? Mr Barnett: Let's be very clear in terms of the budget. We're very focused on building a better Tasmania now and for the future, investing in the things that matter for Tasmanians like health; today is an excellent example of that, we've got record funding in health. I'm very excited and looking forward to budget day and I'll have more to say on Thursday. Journalist : So how many assets are you going to sell? Mr Barnett: I'm looking forward to budget day on Thursday. The press conference seemed to point to a budget that could contain some tough love, right at a time when the government needs an easy sell the most. No pressure, Mr Barnett. And it all comes at a time when the government's task of getting the public back onside is set to get even tougher, with its draft stadium legislation set to go out for public consultation in the next week. After EMRS polling showed the Liberals losing the most support in the state's north and north-west, being seen to be ramming through a project that polling says is deeply unpopular there will be pretty tough to sell to the public. And that could make the task of convincing Tasmanians to elect them to a fifth straight term in office at the 2028 state election that little bit tougher than it's already looking.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Candidates in Tasmania's Legislative Council election weighing up Hobart stadium decision
The Tasmanian electorate of Montgomery is one of the furthest from Hobart, but the capital city stadium proposal may be a central issue at next Saturday's election for the north-west upper house seat. Voters in Montgomery, which takes in parts of Burnie, the Central Coast, Sheffield and extends south to the Cradle Valley, will go to the polls on May 24 alongside electors in Nelson and Pembroke — two seats with a view of Macquarie Point, the site of the planned arena. But unlike the Hobart seats where popular incumbents are recontesting their roles, Montgomery's Liberal MP Leonie Hiscutt is retiring — leaving the race open to several contenders, including her son Casey Hiscutt. Mr Hiscutt, however, is running as an independent, and the Liberal government is hoping former federal senator Stephen Parry will retain the seat for the party. Independent Gatty Burnett is also standing, as is Greens candidate Darren Briggs and Adrian Pickin from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. The candidates have offered a range of views on the stadium, and whoever is successful will be crucial to helping — or hindering — the government's plans for the stadium. The Liberal government needs state parliament's upper house, known as the Legislative Council, to pass its special legislation on the stadium if it is to be built as it is currently proposed. It's guaranteed to pass the lower house, where Labor has vowed its support. The AFL issued Tasmania an entry licence to the league on the condition that a stadium be built at Macquarie Point. Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been criticised after issuing an ultimatum to legislative councillors. "If the legislation is not passed, the stadium won't go ahead and the team will not go ahead," Mr Rockliff said earlier this month. Independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest said the premier's language was "threatening." Polling published by the Tasmanian firm EMRS in February indicated the broader north-west population was largely opposed to the stadium, with 65 per cent of the region against the plan, compared to 59 per cent of people statewide. Ulverstone resident Helen Farmer said she had signed up to be a member of the Tasmania Devils team, but she felt the stadium planning had not been transparent and the location was not suitable. Another Montgomery voter, Alan Rowe, said he believed "it'd be a great thing for the state". Data specific to Montgomery has not been published but, coincidentally, the Montgomery candidate stances closely align with the EMRS polling, with three of the five opposed to the government's plan. Mr Parry said he had come across opposition to the stadium in the electorate but believed he had convinced voters to support it when he explained the "long-term benefit". Mr Hiscutt said he was a supporter of a Tasmanian AFL team, which he said relied on a stadium in Hobart for a sustainable business model. He said he would "scrutinise" the legislation, and criticised the government's handling of the negotiations for lacking transparency. Greens candidate Dr Briggs argues that public money spent on the stadium would be better spent on housing. Ms Burnett has similarly said she does not believe the voters back a stadium. "The constituents that I speak to across Montgomery are clear that they don't want a stadium," she said. And the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate says the stadium should be built in Launceston. Political analyst Kevin Bonham says the stadium is not the only race in town for Montgomery voters. "I wouldn't assume that it's an overwhelming issue, but I think it is certainly there," Dr Bonham said. He said he wouldn't expect voters to back "any anti-stadium candidate" on the ticket, but if anyone other than Mr Parry is successful in Montgomery, it could spell trouble for the Liberal government's plans. And earlier this week, Liberal MP Liberal MP Felix Ellis was singing a similar song. "It's quite clear that votes for the other candidates … could kill the dream of an AFL team for Tasmanians."
