Andrew Thaler
Australian politician
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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]
Andrew Evan Thaler | |
|---|---|
| Councillor of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council | |
| Assumed office 14 September 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1972 or 1973 (age 52–53) |
| Party | Independent |
| Website | snowymonaro |
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 would have been 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]
Following Thaler's third suspension, he applied for a stay on 31 October 2025 which was subsequently granted by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on 3 November. This means that he was not removed from council as planned.[17]