TasFarmers, Media Release, 11 February 2026
Councillors must be held accountable for the actions of local government CEOs and General Managers, and cannot hide behind the veil of operational decision-making.
CEO of peak farming group TasFarmers, Nathan Calman said, “Council CEOs and General Managers implement the strategic and policy directions of council as determined by the elected members.”
“Operational decisions and actions must be in accordance with individual council strategic plans, policy and operational plans which are endorsed by elected members.
“The recent decision by City of Launceston Council to approve in principle a reduction in working hours by 20 per cent must have been in line with a policy or strategy endorsed by the elected City of Launceston councillors.
“If it was not, then under what authority has the CEO endorsed the radical plan that reduces working hours by 20 per cent in such a crucial service sector?
“If there is a 20 per cent efficiency gain to be had, why isn’t City of Launceston trying to achieve this now, through workforce accountability because this proposal is out of step with community expectations and especially those in the agricultural sector,” said Mr Calman.
