A Hobart local, an accountant, a steady pair of hands

Louise was born and raised in Hobart, in a family whose roots run deeply through the city. Hobart is more than the place she lives. It is where she grew up, raised her family, built her business and devoted much of her life to serving the community.

For more than twenty-eight years, Louise has operated Bloomfield & Associates, the accounting practice she founded in 1998. What began as a sole-trader business grew into a local firm employing a team of around seven people in the heart of Hobart.

Louise holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and the National Tax Agents Association, and is a registered tax agent. She was also among the first BAS agents registered in Australia.

Her professional experience has shaped the way she approaches public life. Running a small business teaches you that every decision has consequences. You must meet the payroll, support your staff, listen to your clients, plan for difficult times and account for every dollar.

It also teaches resilience, responsibility and the value of quiet, consistent work.

When Hobart’s businesses were struggling in the aftermath of COVID-19, the city had no dedicated chamber of commerce to represent them. Louise established the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business to fill that gap — bringing local businesses together, giving them a stronger collective voice and creating a forum through which their concerns could be raised with government and Council.

For Louise, this was about more than business advocacy. A capital city needs a strong and organised business community. Local businesses create employment, support families, enliven our streets and form the economic backbone of Hobart.

Louise’s commitment to Hobart also extends deeply into community service. Through her involvement with Rotary, Rostrum and Soroptimist International, she has worked alongside people dedicated to service, leadership, opportunity and the protection of those who may otherwise be overlooked.

These experiences have strengthened her belief that leadership begins with listening, contributing and being prepared to do the work. They have also reinforced her commitment to supporting young people, older residents, people with disability, small businesses and those who may not always have the loudest voice in public debate.

It is this combination of business experience, financial discipline and longstanding community involvement that Louise has brought to the Hobart City Council. She understands the pressures facing households, community organisations and local employers because she has worked beside them for decades.

Louise believes public money must be treated with the same care and discipline required in any well-run business. Every dollar should be accounted for, every major decision properly tested and every investment directed towards outcomes that strengthen the city.

But leadership is about more than balancing the books. It is also about bringing people together, protecting what matters, creating opportunity and giving a city the confidence to look beyond the next argument or election cycle.

For Louise, standing for Lord Mayor is not a stepping stone. It is the next chapter in a lifetime of commitment to Hobart — an opportunity to give back to the city that has given her so much, and to help restore its strength, confidence and standing as Tasmania’s capital.