The MAV wanted elections deferred this year because of the ongoing negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on councils, communities and local businesses.
It released a statement that said the simplest and fairest way to ensure the best outcomes for Victoria’s communities and councils would be to follow NSW’s lead.
The NSW Government has already taken the decision to postpone its council elections for one year until September 2021 as a result of the pandemic.
MAV president Coral Ross said many councillors across the state had provided examples of the difficulties facing the local government sector and supported the MAV’s push for a deferral of this year’s elections.
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“Following a survey of all councils and CEOs earlier this year, the MAV called for a 12-month deferral of council elections, currently scheduled for October 2020,” Cr Ross said.
“With the current increase in COVID-19 numbers and the subsequent wide-scale lockdown, we (were) calling on the Minister to reconsider holding council elections in October this year.”
Benalla Rural City Mayor Danny Claridge said while some in council were supportive of the delay, the elections were dictated by the state, and the Local Government Minister, and he had been told they would take place.
“As far as council goes we would have loved to have it put off until next year,” Cr Claridge said.
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“I just got off a Zoom call with the MAV and they have spoken to the new minister on two occasions now, and put it to him that maybe we should follow NSW and suspend elections for 12 months.
“But the state government is saying absolutely no.
“Part of the reason for that is that the former Minister for Local Government, who was recently removed from his position as he was involved in some things like branch stacking, had the idea to postpone the elections.
“Local Government in Melbourne can get very political and there were some saying the former minister had a political reason for wanting them postponed.
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“So the new minister (Mr Shaun Leane MP) has said he doesn't want any changes.”
One change that was already set in stone, however, is that the 2020 Local Government elections in Victoria will conducted by post.
When former Local Government Minister Adem Sumyurek made that announcement in May he said it was the safest way to conduct the election.
“Victorians have the right to a democratic say on who represents them at all levels of government,” Mr Sumyurek said at the time.
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“By making every vote a postal vote, we’re ensuring this vital democratic process is conducted in a safe manner that also allows for the participation of more voters.”
Cr Claridge said that the decision to hold the election in October was one council would have to live with, but felt it did give an advantage to the incumbent candidates.
“A new candidate, for example, will want to be out in public shaking hands and talking with the community. How can you do that during a pandemic?" Cr Claridge said.
“It might stop people from wanting to run for council this year.
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“I think every Local Government in Victoria would have loved to see it held off for 12 months.
“But that's just not going to happen.”
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