Sometimes you need a thick skin in life.

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Politicians have always required one. But the vitriol we have seen dished up across Tasmania during the 2026 local government elections should be called out.

While politicians from all levels, from our national leaders down to our local council representatives, must be open to their decisions being scrutinised, what we have seen is going far beyond that.

The problem candidates now face is social media.

Long-serving representatives describe recent elections as among the worst for targeted attacks, and it is leaving little room for constructive debate.

The online abuse often comes from people in our communities who feel a sense of anonymity online and would not be as horrible in person.

When running for your local council requires a thick skin for false allegations and threats, we should not be surprised when the very people our communities desperately need decide to walk away.

Today we have reported the case of Chloe Foster, a young........

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