❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Local Government about the introduction of quotas in local government elections, specifically regarding the timing of the decision, lack of discussion during the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 debate, and communication with local governments.
AnsweredQoN 1181Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT—
REFORM
1181. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Local Government:
I refer the minister to the recent
changes to the electoral system as it applies to local government vacancies.
(1) When did the government decide
to insert a quota system into local government elections?
(2) Am I correct
in recalling that there was no mention of quotas during the lengthy debate we
had on the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 earlier this year?
(3) When were
local governments informed of this aspect of the new election system, and what
feedback, if any, has been received from local governments and/or the Western Australian
Local Government Association since then?
REFORM
1181. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Local Government:
I refer the minister to the recent
changes to the electoral system as it applies to local government vacancies.
(1) When did the government decide
to insert a quota system into local government elections?
(2) Am I correct
in recalling that there was no mention of quotas during the lengthy debate we
had on the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 earlier this year?
(3) When were
local governments informed of this aspect of the new election system, and what
feedback, if any, has been received from local governments and/or the Western Australian
Local Government Association since then?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. He has turned my world on its head—there
was no reference whatsoever to cannabis in the question!
(1)–(3) The
state government announced the introduction of preferential voting as part of
the proposed package of local government reforms that was released on 10 November
2021. Clause 92 of the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 provides for the
use of quotas in elections for two or more councillors using the single
transferable voting system. An equivalent system is used for elections for this
house. This was explained in the explanatory memorandum. Proceedings of the
debate are recorded in Hansard , including specific references to
preferential voting on 10 May 2023. The Cook government's local
government reforms have been the subject of
extensive consultation, including a three-month public consultation period and ongoing engagement with the local government sector.
some notice of the question. He has turned my world on its head—there
was no reference whatsoever to cannabis in the question!
(1)–(3) The
state government announced the introduction of preferential voting as part of
the proposed package of local government reforms that was released on 10 November
2021. Clause 92 of the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 provides for the
use of quotas in elections for two or more councillors using the single
transferable voting system. An equivalent system is used for elections for this
house. This was explained in the explanatory memorandum. Proceedings of the
debate are recorded in Hansard , including specific references to
preferential voting on 10 May 2023. The Cook government's local
government reforms have been the subject of
extensive consultation, including a three-month public consultation period and ongoing engagement with the local government sector.
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