SA councillors, mayors stood down after failing to declare gifts blame technical difficulties

Three mayors are among 45 councillors caught up in a donations debacle that could cost them their positions – but they’ve blamed technical difficulties.

Three South Australian mayors have been caught up in a donations debacle that could cost nearly 50 elected council members their positions.

Local Government Minister Geoff Brock revealed 45 councillors from 36 of the 68 councils across South Australia, including the mayors, have been stood down after they failed to lodge returns to the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) following last year’s local government elections.

A list of those involved has not been released, but publicly-available ECSA records indicate which members submitted their returns late or not at all.

Among the most high-profile of those embroiled is Prospect Mayor Matt Larwood, who said he was seeking legal advice on the matter.

Whyalla mayor Phill Stone acknowledged he lodged his form more than a week late due to a mix-up, but said he was yet to be officially told he would be required to step aside.

Tumby Bay mayor Geoff Churchett declined to comment but his form was dated after the cut-off for unopposed candidates.

Among the metropolitan councillors stood down was Tea Tree Gully councillor Tammie Sinclair.

Other affected councillors said they had not been made aware of the situation when they were contacted by The Advertiser on Friday.

Those implicated now have the opportunity to appeal to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal for reinstatement, but if they are unsuccessful another election must be held to fill their vacancy.

Naracoorte Lucindale councillor Craig McGuire said he had attempted to submit the form but ran into issues with ECSA’s online portal.

He eventually sent the form last night following several attempts to flag the problems.

“I’ve done everything I can,” he said.

Local Government Minister Geoff Brock. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

The City of Adelaide election count in November 2022. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Mr McGuire said the former system, which required members to submit forms to their council instead of ECSA, was much simpler.

Playford councillor Shirley Halls said she also had trouble with the online system.

“It wouldn’t let me load up the form,” she said.

Under the legislation, all council candidates must complete returns that declare gifts they received during their campaign.

Gifts less than $500 in value do not need to be declared, and members who do not receive any gifts must still submit a statement to ECSA.

Cleve councillor Grant Fennell said the form was unnecessary in most rural councils, where “90 per cent” of councillors have no donations to declare.

“Just get people to send it in if they’ve had a donation,” he said.

Responding to concerns about technical issues, Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry said more than 200 letters were sent by registered mail in an effort to reach candidates struggling with the website.

“The portal, I’m aware some candidates had difficulties, most candidates if they did would contact us and our staff would help guide through the process to ensure their donation was lodged on time,” he said.

Candidates were issued up to 12 reminders about their obligation to lodge the form before the deadline.

Opposition local government spokesman Sam Telfer said the state government and ECSA must wear blame for the “monumental stuff-up”.

But Mr Brock said the recent changes to the process were sought by the local government sector when Mr Telfer was president of the Local Government Association.

“If any responsibility is to be borne for the current set of circumstances, it must be borne by the 45 members who failed to heed the repeated advice from ECSA, and the history of advocacy from Mr Telfer himself,” he said.

Originally published as SA councillors, mayors stood down after failing to declare gifts blame technical difficulties