Councils across Western Australia had passed motions opposing the change out of concern it would lead to confusion among voters and help facilitate the spread of party politics into the Local Government.

WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell said the State Government had missed an opportunity to use the Committee stage for consultation with the sector to reform the process in the interests of all West Australians.

“The Association works to encourage greater participation in Council elections and the change to proportional preferential voting will only be detrimental,” Cr Mitchell said.

“It is a process that is more difficult to understand, will cost more to administer and facilitates the advancement of organised political parties, factions and alliances in Local Government.

“Given the overwhelming opposition to the change from Councils, the State Government and the Minister had an opportunity to show genuine leadership and rebuild relations with Local Government.

“It is disappointing to see that this opportunity has been lost and the State Government is continuing in its piecemeal approach to electoral reform in the sector.”

Cr Mitchell applauded all Councils who had the courage to stand up for democracy and oppose the new voting system being forced on Local Government in the face of pressure from the State Government.

He said it would now be up to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the State Electoral Commission to demonstrate they have the capacity to manage the new system.

“The new voting system will place resource and financial pressure on Councils to conduct proportional preferential elections in October at a time when the Minister is well aware that the sustainability of 83 of the State’s 144 Local Governments is in question,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing the State honour its commitment to the system it is imposing on Local Government by allocating the necessary resources as part of its May State Budget announcement.”

Ends