Launceston mayoral candidates condemn $51 debate entry fee
Launceston Chamber of Commerce is charging non-members $50.75 to attend the mayoral debate, locking out voters who can't pay.
On October 5, candidates for Launceston mayor will meet at a Chamber of Commerce event behind a paywall. Non-members pay $50.75; chamber members pay $21.
The debate will not be livestreamed. Candidates say the fee is unfair.
Kyle Barrett wanted free entry or a $10 price. Jess Hoyle called it exclusionary for ratepayers who can't afford tickets.
Paul Mallet noted that nearby councils hosted multiple free forums and said Launceston is now at a disadvantage for voter engagement. Chamber chief executive Alina Bain defended the decision, saying it was a members' event, not a public forum, and that the priority was serving chamber businesses.
Yet Hobart's mayoral debate on the same day is free. So are Burnie and Devonport's, which even livestreamed theirs.
- $50.75
- Non-member fee
- $21
- Member fee
- October 5, 2026
- Debate date
- Du Canes
- Venue
Why it mattersA paywall on a mayoral debate means some voters cannot hear candidates directly before the election.
AustraliaLaunceston voters face a $51 barrier to see mayoral candidates debate, while voters in other Tasmanian cities can attend for free.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
