Andrew Thaler

Last updated

Andrew Evan Thaler
Councillor of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Assumed office
14 September 2024
Personal details
Born1972or1973(age 52–53)
Party Independent
Residence(s) Nimmitabel, New South Wales, Australia
Website snowymonaro.com.au

Andrew Evan Thaler (born 1972 or 1973) is an Australian politician and was a candidate for the 2019 New South Wales state election in Monaro, [1] , 2022 Monaro state by-election, [2] 2022 federal election in Eden-Monaro [3] and the 2025 federal election in Eden-Monaro. [4] [5] He was a candidate for the 2025 Kiama state by-election, following the resignation of the former member Gareth Ward. He cites his suspension from his duties as a councillor as a reason he can campaign in this by-election. [6] [7]

Thaler is a broadcaster and owns a scrapyard. [8]

In 2024 he was elected to Snowy Monaro Regional Council. [8]

Thaler welcomed the resignation of council CEO David Hogan following the 2024 local government election. [9]

Controversies

In 2022, Thaler pleaded guilty to intimidating a woman, [3] but was not convicted, with the judge describing the events as "an absurd situation" and noting that "on all sides, this incident could have been handled better". [10]

In September 2024, Thaler was involved in a lawsuit triggered by an altercation with a campaigner for the yes vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. [11]

Following the death of Clare Nowland, Thaler claimed to act as a spokesperson on behalf of Nowland's family but they denied this claim. [12]

In April 2025, Thaler allegedly started a brawl between councillors after raising a motion calling for his neighbour's property to be investigated during a meeting of the council. [4]

Thaler has been suspended three times from council for his behaviour and is banned from multiple businesses within the Cooma and Nimmitabel areas. [13] [14] [8] [15] Upon Thaler's third ban from council, he was disqualified from holding civic office for five years. [15] Thaler's behaviour has led to an investigation by the office of local government (a state government agency). [16]

References

  1. Le Lievre, Kimberley (23 March 2019). "On NSW election day in Monaro, Queanbeyan voters take to the polls". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025. Supporters of smaller party candidates, which include the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party's Mick Holton, the Greens' Peter Marshall, the Animal Justice Party's Frankie Seymour and independent candidate Andrew Thaler, were also on hand to pass out how-to-vote material.
  2. Report on the conduct of the Monaro state by-election (PDF) (Report). NSW Electoral Commission. 12 February 2022. Table 1: Monaro state by-election 12 February 2022 – first preference votes. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 McKnight, Albert (20 May 2022). "Eden-Monaro candidate Andrew Thaler pleads guilty to intimidating a woman". Region. Archived from the original on 14 June 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 Baker, Jordan (18 April 2025). "'Dribbling blood': Council meeting involving serial pest ends in brawl". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  5. Johnson, Chris (29 April 2025). "Right-wing candidates brawling for votes in Eden-Monaro". Region. Archived from the original on 25 May 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  6. McSweeney, Jessica (21 August 2025). "Three women are running for NSW Parliament. A male serial pest wants to stop them" . Archived from the original on 21 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  7. White, Jen (21 August 2025). "Suspended Snowy Monaro councillor to stand in Kiama; pledges to rename electorate". regionillawarra.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Baker, Jordan (1 October 2024). "Andrew Thaler has called female council workers fat, dumb and useless. Now he's been elected a councillor" . The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  9. McKnight, Albert (9 October 2024). "Andrew Thaler says he's 'glad' Snowy Monaro CEO resigned after election". AboutRegional. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  10. Fenwicke, Claire (23 May 2022). "No conviction following intimidation guilty plea for Eden-Monaro candidate, judge labels case 'absurd'". Region. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  11. McKnight, Albert (5 September 2024). "Yes campaigner's charge dismissed after spitting on ex-federal candidate Andrew Thaler". AboutRegional. Archived from the original on 23 March 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  12. Antrobus, Blake (6 May 2024). "Andrew Thaler: Man who claimed to be spokesman for family of Clare Nowland arrested, charged over alleged assault of NSW cafe owner". NCA NewsWire . Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025 via news.com.au.
  13. Evans, Isla and McDonald, Alasdair (30 July 2025). "Snowy Monaro councillor Andrew Thaler suspended for second time over misconduct". ABC News . Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  14. McDonald, Alasdair and Adams, Floss (6 May 2025). "Snowy Mountains councillor Andrew Thaler suspended for alleged misconduct". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  15. 1 2 Evans, Isla (30 October 2025). "Snowy Monaro councillor Andrew Thaler disqualified after third misconduct suspension". ABC South East NSW . ABC News. Archived from the original on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  16. Adams, Floss and McDonald, Alasdair (20 March 2025). "NSW government probes Snowy Monaro councillor after complaints". ABC News . Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.