Labor calls council voter turnout a crisis that needs to be fixed immediately
LABOR is calling for compulsory voting to be implemented at the next local government election and describes the current voter turnout as a crisis.
Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LABOR is calling for compulsory voting to be implemented at the next local government election and described the current voter turnout as a crisis.
With a little more than 50 per cent of Tasmanians returning their ballot papers with one day left until polls closed, State Labor’s David O’Byrne says the State Government needs to show leadership and implement compulsory voting to ensure councils are truly representative of their communities.
READ MORE:
POWER AND PASSION IN BATTLE FOR HOBART
PARTY POLITICS CREEPING INTO COUNCIL ELECTIONS
CHARLES WOOLEY: IN DEFENCE OF COUNCIL ELECTION VOTING
“With democracy comes responsibility and the fact that so few Tasmanians have cast their vote in what is a very important election for communities across the state is a crisis point for local government in Tasmania,” he said.
“We really need the State Government to lead and implement compulsory voting to ensure that all councils elected cross the state reflect the view of the majority of the community.
“We are celebrating that barely 50 per cent have bothered to cast their vote and that is an indictment on the voting system.”
Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein said it would consider compulsory voting as part of its Local Government Act review.
“We are currently reviewing the Local Government Act, and while this is not a priority for the government right now, we are willing to consider it as part of our review,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr O’Byrne said if the Government did not act on compulsory voting, Labor would consider putting forward amendments to the bill to reflect its policy, if it came before Parliament.
As of Friday, 53.22 per cent of Hobart voters had returned their ballot papers compared with the state average of 53.21 per cent, according to Tasmanian Electoral Commission figures.
Clarence has the lowest percentage return across Tasmania with 47 per cent, which Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said was on par with 2014.
“The trend appears to be very similar to the last election and I’d like to see how the results pan out before drawing any conclusions,” he said.
Smaller Tasmanian councils lead the way with Flinders and its 825 enrolled voters topping the list with 77 per cent.
Kingborough has 50 per cent while Huon Valley, which has been run by a Government-appointed commissioner for the past two years, has 56 per cent.
The issue of compulsory voting has been voted on by Local Government Association of Tasmania members about five times in the past decade and it has never been carried.
Councils have a number of concerns around compulsory voting including rise in party politics as well as in informal voting.
Polling closes at 10am Tuesday with voters urged to drop their completed ballot papers at their respective council offices to ensure their vote is received in time.
Govt may rent out new ferries: Winter
Two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries could be leased out because of delays to berth upgrades in Devonport preventing the vessels from docking, Labor claims. Here’s the government’s response.
Dealmaker: PM talks up Premier
‘Western Australia wanted to pinch our port. We wouldn’t let that happen’: Federal Labor were full of praise for Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his advocacy on behalf of Tasmania.