UPDATED: Councillor Andrew Thaler issued notice of suspension

Published on 30 October 2025

Important update: Wednesday 5 November 2025

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal granted an application by Councillor Andrew Thaler on Friday 31 October 2025 for a stay of the notice of suspension issued on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

Councillor Thaler resumed his role as a councillor on Wednesday 5 November 2025.

Under section 440L of the Local Government Act 1993, in the event of an appeal being lodged, the tribunal may stay any decision made by the departmental chief executive until such time as the tribunal determines the appeal.

The original notice, superseded by the above update, is provided below for posterity.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council received advice from the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) on Wednesday 29 October 2025 that Councillor Andrew Thaler has been issued notice of his suspension from office, effective Thursday 6 November 2025 through Thursday 5 February 2026 inclusive.

The suspension order, issued under section 440I(2)(g) of the Local Government Act 1993, further directs Cr Thaler to apologise for the misconduct in the manner specified in the order. The suspension order was issued by the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Within 14 days of the date of the order, Cr Thaler is directed to apologise for the misconduct under section 440I(2)(d) of the Act, relating to breaches 2 to 16 as set out in the departmental report dated October 2025. These breaches concern comments made in social media posts, social media videos, and other online comments published on 8, 15, 16, 19, 20, and 22 May 2025; 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, and 17 July 2025; and 30 August 2025.

The apology must be made in writing and specify the misconduct to which the apology refers. Further information relating to the suspension order can be found on the OLG website at www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/misconduct-and-intervention/councillor-misconduct/deputy-secretary-decisions-orders-and-statements-of-reasons.

Cr Thaler was provided the opportunity to make a submission to the OLG prior to this disciplinary action being undertaken.

The suspension order is the third imposing a suspension for misconduct on Cr Thaler.