❓ Mr. Alban asks about the importance of upcoming local government elections. The Minister highlights their role as a training ground for politicians, the opportunity to shape local government reform, and the need for increased voter turnout.
AnsweredQoN 475Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL
GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
1. 475. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Local Government:
Now that the federal election has
passed, we turn our attention to the local government elections, which take
place next month. Can the minister inform the house why these local government
elections are very important?
GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
1. 475. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Local Government:
Now that the federal election has
passed, we turn our attention to the local government elections, which take
place next month. Can the minister inform the house why these local government
elections are very important?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills
for the question. He is right; this year is very unusual because there are
three elections this year—the state government elections in March; last
weekend, the federal election; and next month, on 19 October, the local
government elections. Nominations are open at the moment for the 138 local
governments in Western Australia for people to become councillors.
I took a quick look around the
chamber and I think I am right that 10 or 11 members on this side are
ex-councillors. The member for Swan Hills, who asked the question; the members
for Belmont and Hillarys; the member for Dawesville—in his younger days
at the City of Bayswater—the members for Wanneroo, Vasse, Moore,
Bunbury, Ocean Reef, Hillarys; and, of course, you, Mr Speaker. All 11
ex-councillors make fine members of Parliament.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
A government member: And you.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : And me; very true. That is a good point.
The point I am trying to make is
that local government is a very good training ground and opportunity for people
to get into politics. I encourage everyone in their community to put up their
hand and get involved in their local government election. It is a great
platform from which to get involved with the community. If residents have the
skills and the resolve, I encourage them to become involved in their local
government elections.
Most importantly, this is a very
interesting and exciting time in the metropolitan area due to the local
government reform process. The new councillors elected in October will have an
opportunity to help shape the new councils as they move forward through the
reform process. Although their terms of two years will be shorter, the reality
is that this format will provide stronger local governments. The other most
important issue is that people vote in the local government elections. The rate
of voter turnout is very low; in fact, it is only a little bit higher than the
Labor Party rate last weekend of 29 per cent. It is important that people
exercise their democratic right to vote in the upcoming local government
elections. It is very important that good councillors come on board and I
encourage everyone to get involved in the process.
for the question. He is right; this year is very unusual because there are
three elections this year—the state government elections in March; last
weekend, the federal election; and next month, on 19 October, the local
government elections. Nominations are open at the moment for the 138 local
governments in Western Australia for people to become councillors.
I took a quick look around the
chamber and I think I am right that 10 or 11 members on this side are
ex-councillors. The member for Swan Hills, who asked the question; the members
for Belmont and Hillarys; the member for Dawesville—in his younger days
at the City of Bayswater—the members for Wanneroo, Vasse, Moore,
Bunbury, Ocean Reef, Hillarys; and, of course, you, Mr Speaker. All 11
ex-councillors make fine members of Parliament.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
A government member: And you.
Mr
A.J. SIMPSON : And me; very true. That is a good point.
The point I am trying to make is
that local government is a very good training ground and opportunity for people
to get into politics. I encourage everyone in their community to put up their
hand and get involved in their local government election. It is a great
platform from which to get involved with the community. If residents have the
skills and the resolve, I encourage them to become involved in their local
government elections.
Most importantly, this is a very
interesting and exciting time in the metropolitan area due to the local
government reform process. The new councillors elected in October will have an
opportunity to help shape the new councils as they move forward through the
reform process. Although their terms of two years will be shorter, the reality
is that this format will provide stronger local governments. The other most
important issue is that people vote in the local government elections. The rate
of voter turnout is very low; in fact, it is only a little bit higher than the
Labor Party rate last weekend of 29 per cent. It is important that people
exercise their democratic right to vote in the upcoming local government
elections. It is very important that good councillors come on board and I
encourage everyone to get involved in the process.
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