Councillors share their views on election postponement

Clarence Valley councillors share their thoughts on the decision to postpone the NSW local council elections.

Clarence Valley councillors share their thoughts on the decision to postpone the NSW local council elections.

Earlier this week, NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock announced the September NSW council elections would be postponed to December 4 in response to the state’s latest coronavirus outbreak.

Following the announcement, most new candidates in this year’s Clarence Valley Council elections have put their campaign strategy on hold, while others have chosen to forge on.

Meanwhile, current councillors who were just one week away from entering the caretaker period before the elections were postponed have told The Daily Examiner they are mostly supportive of the decision, but felt alternative strategies could have been adopted.

Mayor Jim Simmons said the lack of communication between local councils and the Minister was the biggest issue.

“The Minister could have given an indication (to postpone) earlier than July,” he said.

“She could have notified councillors by some sort of email rather than us finding out in the media.”

Several councillors wondered why online voting wasn’t considered.

“In politics, you have to be adaptable,” councillor Peter Ellem said.

“It was probably the right call from a public health perspective but iVote could have been utilised and traditional campaigning methods avoided.”

Councillor Jason Kingsley said the decision to move elections to a December time frame will inevitably create new problems.

“With the election just three weeks out from Christmas Day it’s going to be an almost impossible feat to confirm the newly elected council and hold an Extraordinary Meeting to elect a new Mayor in that time,” he said.

“During December and January Council goes into an extended eight-week break and from an operation side of things, staff are typically on leave.

“This is going to put a tremendous amount of stress and pressure on staff over the Christmas period when everyone is already exhausted from a challenging year. It’s a bit of a shambles and policy on the run from the State Government.”

What councillors had to say about the election postponement

Mayor Jim Simmons:

I realise that because of Covid they have decided to postpone it, but you hark back to 12 months ago, the Minister, in deferring elections, did with a proviso that it could be extended for three months so that’s fine. However, the Minister could have given an indication earlier than July. She could have notified councillors by some sort of email rather than us finding out in the media.

I believe that most councillors would be opposed to it (being postponed). They all had their plans to renominate or what not. I had plans which will now need to be put on hold for three months now.

Councillor Arthur Lysaught:

It doesn’t concern me in any way, shape or form. I’m happy to fill in these last three months. I would have much preferred to have finished and not be here after September, but it is what it is, so I’ll live with it.

Councillor Greg Clancy:

Well it’s disappointing but I understand it. We’ve had fliers printed with the September date on it so in that respect, it’s sort of messing us around. But it is what it is.

Councillor Karen Toms:

I was elected to serve the Clarence Valley community and will continue to serve them until the election. Considering the current circumstances in the many Local Government areas of NSW I am not surprised. I understand and support all decisions that will protect our community. It’s only another three months, that’s not a big ask in my opinion.

Councillor Richie Williamson:

I think it was kind of expected due to the current situation with Covid-19 in the State. It’s most likely the responsible thing to do at this point in time.

While at the time of writing we have been extremely fortunate in the Clarence with the Covid, a gathering like an election might be too risky at this time; however, an election is due (overdue) and should proceed at the earliest and the safest possible time.

Councillor Andrew Baker:There are bigger issues at play and I don’t want to comment.

Councillor Debrah Novak:

The disappointing thing is the councillors had to hear about it on TV, and the fact that it wasn’t even on the NSW Electoral Commission website or on the Minister’s website. So I’d be keen to know who they actually discussed this with because I know John Barilaro is the Minister for Regions, but a major problem is the fact that local government doesn’t have a seat at the table of National Cabinet. That’s the major problem. We don’t have the chair of Local Government or the Office of Local Government who is our representative of councils in NSW and throughout Australia. They’re not sitting at the table. Every decision they make there, impacts us, but they don’t realise what that impact is.

Councillor Jason Kingsley:

I was not surprised but shocked to have heard about it via media outlets and not through a Circular from the Minister. There was a gross lack of basic professional courtesy to not inform general managers and elected members prior to making the announcement through the media.

I believe that it is a smart move and in the best interests of public health. I am committed to fulfilling my elected duties and appreciate we are in uncharted waters, which means we need to pivot at times. However, the Government has had 18 months to prepare for the NSW LG Elections with the background threat of another outbreak at any stage, it is a noticeable failure on their behalf to have not explored alternative options for voting such as iVote as a backup. It’s not rocket science; it just comes down to forward planning.

Councillor Peter Ellem:

I was not surprised, given the worsening Covid situation in Greater Sydney and isolated cases of infectious people showing up in regional areas. I feel for everyone who is in lockdown, including family and friends.