2024 council election: ‘Informal votes’ skyrocket in Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly after Liberal Party bungle
Updated results have revealed a massive surge in informal votes across Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly, as well as a broader shift away from mainstream parties following the disappearance of the Liberals.
Macarthur
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Early polling figures have revealed a major surge in the number of “informal votes” received across the Marcarthur region, where almost all Liberal voters were left in the lurch without any candidates.
The Liberal Party’s monumental nominations blunder left a gaping hole on ballot papers in Campbelltown and Wollondilly, with all of the party’s candidates wiped out from the 2024 council elections.
It also sent shockwaves through traditional party strongholds in Camden, with the Liberals running in just one of three wards.
More than 15,000 votes for Campbelltown City Council had been deemed ineligible as of 4pm Monday, making up 22 per cent of votes counted at the time.
Tallies also indicate a possibility of the Greens winning two seats in Campbelltown for the first time in history, with lead Greens candidate Jayden Rivera securing a seat after their strongest election results yet.
Campbelltown Labor MP Greg Warren said despite being a proud Labor member, it was clear at the polls that many voters were “really disappointed” after being left without the choice of a Liberal candidate.
“The reality is, there’s a lot of people in Campbelltown who either vote staunchly Labor, Liberal, Greens or independent, and I really feel for the local residents who do vote Liberal because they didn’t have the opportunity to do so,” Mr Warren said.
Mr Warren said he hoped, at the end of the day, Campbelltown would have a council “that represents everyone” and looks forward to working with them.
Early counting reveals a staggering 34.8 per cent of votes in Camden’s north ward were inadmissible, followed by 26.3 per cent in the south ward.
Camden’s north ward may have suffered the most, with the Liberal Party winning 49 per cent of the votes, and two out of three seats, in its former fortress at the last election.
In the absence of the Liberals, a large portion of those voters appear to have turned to Libertarian Party candidates Vince Ferreri and Rose Sicari, who were leading the north and south wards respectively as counting continued on Monday.
Former Liberal deputy mayor Therese Fedeli was able to squeeze her team into the central ward as the only Liberals in the region, holding 34.7 per cent of votes at 4pm on Monday.
The Liberals were just behind former Labor mayor Ashleigh Cagney’s team, which was sitting on 37.8 per cent.
Down at Wollondilly Shire Council, independent candidate Matt Gould has won his second consecutive term as mayor.
His running mates, Hilton Gibbs and Jacqueline Jenson, have also gained spots, with their team winning a huge majority of votes in the north ward, claiming 68.3 per cent as of Monday afternoon. Ally Dench looks to become the fourth councillor from in the north.
Wollondilly’s east ward will see a number of familiar faces return with Suzy Brandstater putting in a strong showing, followed by Matthew Deeth and Paul Rogers. The last councillor will likely be Benn Banasik, who was supported by Wollondilly state MP and former councillor Judy Hannan.
POLLING EXPERIENCES
Earlier in Saturday, we spoke to candidates and voters hitting the polls to hear from them on election day.
Campbelltown
Greens candidate Jayden Rivera
Jayden Rivera, a Greens candidate for Campbelltown City Council, says he has “wanted to do something for Campbelltown, having lived here for pretty much my whole life.”
While it’s his first time running for the council, he has previously contested state and federal elections.
“I guess I’ve been doing this for a while now,” he said.
“It’s like when people say, ‘oh, if you just complain, nothing gets done, so you may as well do something about it.
“So I was like, you know what? I know I have a chance to do something about it because I’ve built a profile for myself, so I just decided I was ready to run for council and hopefully make some good changes for Campbelltown.”
Local voter Mark Franks
Despite the Liberals being missed by many in Campbelltown, Mark Franks was definitely not worried.
The 70-year-old said he was “overjoyed” all Liberal Party candidates had missed the cut for the Campbelltown City Council election after the party’s monumental nomination stuff-up.
“Yeah it was good, slipped straight through,“ he said after voting at Bradbury Public School.
“Less parties to choose from, so it made it easier.”
Asked if he would have voted for Liberals, he said: “No way, Jose. I don’t like nuclear, not in my backyard.”
Having lived in the area for more than 15 years, Mr Franks said he would be OK with any result, though he would like Campbelltown City Council to be “a bit greener”.
“They’re wrecking Appin Rd and Menangle and that’s all koala habitat, you know…it’s pretty pretty sad.”
Local voter Bakri Delati
Echoing the sentiments of many other voters, Bakri Delati described himself as “not very political” and said this was just “something you gotta do” while heading to the polls.
“Yeah, it was pretty easy, just walked in and put one in the box and that was pretty much it,” he said.
As a father and owner of a gym and disability services provider, he said he hoped Campbelltown council would do more to prioritise “accessibility, entertainment and learning.”
“Just more things and activities for the kids. Disability, aged care, and just getting people more active. That’s what I’m pretty strong on”, he said.
Labor party volunteers Raymond Smith and his 9 year old grandson Connor
Young and enthusiastic labor volunteer Connor loves helping out his grandpa handing out flyers outside of Bradbury Public school, bringing a smile to voters faces as he runs up to every person he can get to.
“He actually really enjoys doing it, and I enjoy watching him do it,” Connor’s grandfather, Raymond Smith said.
“He’s been pushing me for a week to come over so I said let’s do it let’s get it done.”
Connor’s first taste of volunteering for Labor was during the state election last year, and has made a name for himself as one of their best volunteers since he rarely takes no for an answer.
“He turned up at 10 o’clock today, so he’s been here for most of the day. This is only 2 minutes from home so this is my booth.”
Proud grandfather Raymond has been a loyal labor supporter since he first started working at when he was 16.
“Back in the old days you couldn’t get a job without being a unionist, and obviously in the union you talked about Labor so that’s where I became a labor person now working a union myself.”
“Campbelltown is a labor stronghold and it always has been since I’ve been here. I moved here from another area in Casula, where it’s sort of 50 labor and liberal. But here I’ve been here seven or eight years and it’s always been Labor.”
Camden
Central Ward Labor candidate Ashleigh Cagney and Koady Williams
Returning Labor candidate and former Camden Mayor Ashleigh Cagney had a busy day visiting polling locations across the area, including Birriwa Reserve, but spent majority of the day at her home booth in Currans Hill.
“Looking forward to a positive result tonight,” Ms Cagney said.
Her running mate Koady Williams was posted at Spring Farm Public School and said they had been busy distributing flyers and chatting to voters throughout the day.
“It’s been a great day at Spring Farm Public School, great weather and a great turn out - Camden certainly turned up to vote today,” Mr Koady said.
“A clear message from voters (is that) they want a council that listens and engages with them. (There have been) lots of issues from tackling speeding, bin availability, and congestion raised at the booth today,” he said.
Central Ward candidate Ewelina Ellsmore, from the Shooters and Fishers Party
“I had a great day,” she said. “Meeting lots of wonderful local people and getting lots of support.”
“I’m looking forward to the final results, but whatever happens, I will continue to actively be present in our local community as there is plenty of potential for improvement and action.
“I’m grateful for all the votes and wonderful chats.”
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