Local Government Elections

About this Item
Speakers - Harrison Mr Robert; Page The Hon Ernest
Business - Private Members Statements

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Mr HARRISON (Kiama) [6.04]: I wish to bring to the attention of the House a number of concerns relating to the lead-up to the recent local government elections, which were held in September. The job of the returning officers for that election was extremely difficult given that there are 177 local government areas in New South Wales, many of which have up to three times the population of the average State electorate. I have the distinct impression, from information provided to me, that returning officers in some local government areas were totally unprepared and untrained for their task. Consequently, in some areas the elections were bungled. Many councils have numerous wards and hundreds of candidates.

I have evidence that bodgie tickets were distributed and that unauthorised material and bodgie how-to-vote cards emanated from a number of sources, including development interests and ALP rats. This is a serious situation. Furthermore, I have evidence that the address of a vacant office, owned by a local council, appeared on material that was allegedly circulated by a solicitor who represented one of the candidates. I have evidence also that the address of a local brothel was on some of the material that was distributed. Confusion reigned supreme because of material provided by the Electoral Commission and local returning officers. A document entitled "Election Campaign Advertising", which apparently came from the Department of Local Government, states in part:

Electoral matter means any material likely to influence or be capable of influencing an elector in relation to casting his or her vote.

That seems to be at odds with material issued by the State Electoral Office which states that illegal posters may not be confiscated. A letter from the State Electoral Office to a council returning officer states:

. . . the Returning Officer or any other person is not empowered to confiscate the pamphlets involved and the only sanction is prosecution of offenders for a breach of the Act.

When alleged breaches of the Act are brought to the attention of the State Electoral Office I have been informed that complainants are told that if they want satisfaction they will have to take their own legal action. That is totally unacceptable, because not everybody can afford litigation. When people find themselves up against powerful and influential people their chances of success in court are virtually nil. A circular issued by the Local Government Association asked general managers to answer a number of trite questions about whether they were satisfied with the way the local government elections were conducted. That is not satisfactory either. Anyone who has a legitimate grievance should be able to have that grievance investigated by a local government department or special committee set up for that purpose under the control of that department. If there is evidence of impropriety or corruption, those who are responsible should be brought to justice. I ask the Minister for Local Government to give an assurance that in the lead-up to the next local government elections returning officers will be properly trained and that those who are found to be responsible for acts of corruption will be prosecuted. [Time expired.]

Mr E. T. PAGE (Coogee - Minister for Local Government) [6.09]: This is the first time local government elections have been conducted solely by the State Electoral Office. I have indicated previously that I intend to carry out a comprehensive review of the processes to identify any problems to ensure that in the future the same difficulties do not recur. I thank the honourable member for Kiama for advising me that he was going to raise this issue tonight. I have noted his concerns and assure him that they will be addressed in the review process to be undertaken by the State Electoral Commissioner. Certainly it is the view of the Government and the Opposition that elections should be conducted in the most efficient fashion to ensure that there are no lingering doubts that anomalies or other concerns could affect the outcome of an election. Local government elections are fairly difficult to conduct because, as the
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honourable member indicated, there are 177 councils, many of which have wards. That means that a large number of individual polls need to be conducted. I will take on board the issues raised by the honourable member and ensure that they are given proper consideration in the review that will be undertaken.

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