Hobart councillor rebukes 'manufactured crisis' over snack saga

Councillors at the City of Hobart say they are unable to share the outcome of a motion heard behind closed doors at last night's meeting, which called for an investigation into the conduct of the deputy lord mayor.Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock has admitted to and apologised for taking snacks and drinks from the Town Hall council lounge over several years.She had previously referred herself to the Integrity Commission, which found her actions did not constitute misconduct and chose not to investigate.Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)On Monday night, the council debated a motion during a closed council agenda calling for the director of local government to investigate Cr Sherlock's conduct and the council's handling of it.The motion — tabled by councillors Louise Elliot, John Kelly and Will Coats and alderman Marti Zucco — also called for the director's support to write to Tasmania Police.Louise Elliot was one of four councillors to table the motion. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)Acting director of local government Luke Gregory has previously said a referral to his office was unnecessary, as he was already aware of the matter, and it had been referred to police.Councillors could be dismissed for disclosing informationLord Mayor Anna Reynolds said councillors were unable to share what happens in closed council."I totally understand that people expect government to be as transparent as possible, but we do have a current law which is the Local Government Act of Tasmania — it has very strict rules around the disclosure of information," she told 936 ABC Hobart on Tuesday."It has penalties, and that can include dismissing a councillor and/or someone not being able to run for seven years if we disclose information that's in a closed council agenda — so it is serious, and that is part of the nature of government."Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is resigning from office in August. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)Cr Reynolds said the matter should not sit with council."All of the relevant agencies that might have a concern with this particular matter have got all the information, it's now their job to either pursue it or not pursue it," she said."It's really not so much of a political process, or if it is, that's probably not the best process."Last night's meeting was held behind closed doors, after council voted against a separate motion from Cr Elliot to debate it in public.The current council is divided into two unofficial factions. The larger of those includes Cr Reynolds and Cr Sherlock, who are thought of as being more progressive and left leaning.Cr Elliot is considered part of a smaller, conservative faction.Councillor Ben Lohberger says he initially thought the matter was a "big beat up" but no longer does. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)Cr Ben Lohberger, considered to be among Hobart's progressive councillors, said he changed his opinion of the matter after CCTV vision was released, showing Cr Sherlock leaving Town Hall with shopping bags of items."Honestly before that, I thought it was just a few bottles of soft drink and a few chocolate bars here and there. I thought it was a big beat up," he told 936 ABC Radio Hobart."But it does appear that entire bag loads of items have been removed, and I actually think that's unacceptable."Hobart Deputy Mayor Zelinda Sherlock with a person whose identity has been obscured, inside council chambers Sunday January 7 at 8.42am. (Supplied)But Cr Lohberger said he wanted to focus on "getting the business of council done and trying not to waste too much time on all these manufactured crises that are upon us with the election campaign".Sherlock set to become acting mayorCr Reynolds is resigning in August, which means Cr Sherlock is set to become acting lord mayor until local government elections in October.Cr Sherlock is seeking re-election as deputy lord mayor, running on a Greens ticket alongside fellow councillor Bill Harvey.Cr Harvey said there had been "no changes" to the ticket and he would "support Cr Sherlock in her run for deputy lord mayor".Cr Sherlock joined the Tasmanian Greens in December last year.Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff says Cr Sherlock has the party's support. (ABC News: Simon Farrell)On Monday, state Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said Cr Sherlock maintained the party's support."She is such a strong advocate for the community and it is amazing to have a woman of her calibre and her experience," she said."The office of local government has cautioned other Hobart City councillors against weaponising their office and using it for political purposes."I am deeply dismayed at the toxic language I am hearing from some councillors."