Tasmanian council candidates facing toxic online abuse before election
Council candidates across Tasmania are being targeted with false allegations and threats on social media. Some worry it will shut out future leaders.
Long-serving Tasmanian council representatives say this is the worst election cycle yet for targeted online abuse. Candidates like Chloe Foster in Waratah-Wynyard and Jarryd English in West Tamar faced floods of cruel comments during the 2026 local government elections.
These elections close in fewer than two weeks. One candidate, Rick Shegog, made a technical comment about the ratepayers database.
Others misread it as a claim that renters cannot vote. This sparked a flood of abuse.
Social media algorithms reward outrage and quick reactions. People who would not be rude in person feel brave when they are anonymous online.
When running for council means facing false claims and threats, good candidates often choose to walk away.
- Chloe Foster
- Candidate, Waratah-Wynyard
- Jarryd English
- Candidate, West Tamar
- Rick Shegog
- Candidate, West Tamar
- Fewer than two weeks
- Time until election closes
Why it mattersIf the candidates communities need feel forced out before they even take office, local government loses talented people. It also becomes less representative of the public.
AustraliaTasmania's local government elections are being poisoned by toxic social media; the state may lose passionate, capable community leaders to online abuse.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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