Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent’s warning to Hobart City Council should not be dismissed as political noise. It is a clear signal that confidence in the council’s direction and priorities is wearing thin, not just within government, but among ratepayers, businesses and investors who expect better from those elected to represent them.
The Minister has said he is watching the council closely and wants councillors focused on serving the community rather than generating controversy. That observation will resonate with many Hobart residents. At a time when the city faces serious challenges, housing supply, planning delays, infrastructure pressure and economic uncertainty, too much public attention is being absorbed by internal disputes and avoidable distractions.
The latest controversy centres on allegations that Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock removed food and drinks from Town Hall for personal use. Four councillors have now pushed for an independent investigation, arguing that the issue goes to standards, transparency and accountability. Whether or not those allegations ultimately prove substantiated, the broader problem is the damage caused when council business becomes consumed by matters that should never have reached this point in the first place.
Minister Vincent captured the frustration succinctly when he said he would rather see discussion about vibrant building applications than snacks and drinks. That comment should not be brushed off as flippant. It speaks directly to the growing sense that Hobart’s council is failing to keep its focus on the fundamentals: enabling development where appropriate, supporting local jobs, maintaining public assets, and making decisions that improve daily life for residents.
The Minister has also acknowledged that his ability to intervene directly is limited, noting that he relies heavily on council CEOs and leadership to manage “different personalities”. That is true, but leadership is not just about managing personalities behind closed doors. It is about setting expectations, modelling behaviour, and ensuring that issues are handled decisively and professionally before they escalate into public spectacle.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has rejected suggestions that the council is dysfunctional, while also urging colleagues to focus on substantive issues rather than headline-grabbing disputes. Both points can be true at once. A council does not need to be irretrievably broken to lose momentum or public trust. Even a perception of dysfunction can undermine confidence among investors, community groups and residents who rely on council to be a stable and effective decision-maker.
The documents at the centre of this matter date back to January 2024 and reportedly include CCTV footage reviewed after staff noticed unusual stock levels in the Elected Members’ Lounge. That such an issue has resurfaced publicly a year later raises legitimate questions about internal processes, communication and governance. If concerns exist, they should be dealt with promptly, transparently and consistently, not allowed to fester or become ammunition in political disputes.
Councillors supporting the motion for an external investigation have argued that there cannot be one standard for elected members and another for council staff. That principle is sound. Public office carries responsibility, and community expectations are rightly high. Transparency matters, not just to resolve individual incidents, but to reassure the public that council operates fairly and ethically at all levels.
However, it is equally important that council does not become trapped in a cycle where internal conflict overshadows its purpose. Hobart cannot afford a council preoccupied with itself while critical issues go unresolved. Every hour spent on avoidable controversy is an hour not spent addressing housing affordability, streamlining planning processes, improving public spaces or supporting local business.
The motion for an external investigation will be debated on 27 January. Whatever the outcome, councillors should treat this moment as an opportunity to reset. The community expects professionalism, respect for due process, and a renewed focus on outcomes, not point-scoring or prolonged division.
Hobart deserves a council that is disciplined, forward-looking and firmly focused on the interests of ratepayers, businesses and investors. Minister Vincent’s warning should be taken as a reminder, not a threat: public trust is earned through consistent behaviour, clear priorities and leadership that keeps the city’s future front and centre.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair, Business Greater Hobart
