Local Elections given the go ahead

20 August 2020

Back Row L to R: Crs Frank Martin (Seawinds), Simon Brooks (Seawinds), David Gill (Red Hill), Hugh Fraser (Nepean), current mayor Sam Hearn (Briars) and Bryan Payne (Nepean)

Front row L to R: Crs Julie Morris (Watson), Kate Roper (Cerberus), former mayor Bev Colomb (Briars), Antonella Celi (Seawinds) and Rosie Clark (Briars)

Now that Local Government elections are going ahead on 24 October 2020, ratepayers on the Mornington Peninsula will be asked to elect a new council for the next 4-year term.

Local Government minister, Hon. Shaun Leane MP, announced yesterday elections will be proceeding as scheduled.

Despite Victoria’s current Stage 4 restrictions, the Minister has said “October represents a period when risk is likely to be substantially lower than at present”.

At the height of the Corona-19 pandemic, Victoria Electoral Commission (VEC) considered calls from many municipalities to defer elections until 2021. It was feared incumbent councillors and new candidates would not be able to carry out a ‘free and fair’ campaign if some restrictions continued.

Last April, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said a survey found that most councils supported a deferral, while only 10% were against a delay.

The MAV is disappointed that the Minister for Local Government has rejected the call for a deferral. It believes election deferred for a year would have ensured the health and safety of all VEC support staff associated with the election and offering a fair campaign to candidates.

It is also of the view that current COVID-19 restrictions may deter many candidates from putting themselves forward to represent their community.

In the lead up to Election Day, councillors seeking re-election will have their performance put under the spotlight by their ward constituents, while new candidacies will be putting forward statements on why they should be elected.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire is made up of 6 wards and 11 councillors. Voters must be enrolled correctly by 28th August and will receive a ballot pack in early October. Nominations for candidature will open on Thursday 17th September.

Postal voting will be the method used to elect the new council.