Canning Mayor Advocates for Compulsory Voting to Enhance Local Government Legitimacy
Local government in Western Australia will not achieve genuine community representation until compulsory voting is implemented in council elections, according to Canning mayor Patrick Hall. This statement comes as the City of Canning council recently debated proposed State Government reforms, which include introducing full spill elections every four years and making voting in local government elections compulsory.
Council Votes Split on Election Reforms
During the council meeting, members voted 8-3 in favor of supporting a four-year election cycle but rejected compulsory voting by a margin of 3-8, opting instead to maintain the current voluntary system. Mayor Hall, who championed both changes, warned that local government risks becoming irrelevant without compulsory voting, emphasizing the need for a stronger democratic mandate.
"No one here really has a mandate because only 30 per cent of the population actually voted," Mr Hall asserted. "And then, to win your seat with optional preferential voting, you only need 50 per cent plus one of that vote. So anyone who thinks they are truly representative of the whole community is kidding themselves."
Arguments For and Against Compulsory Voting
Mr Hall acknowledged that some residents might resent being forced to vote or cast donkey votes, but he noted this is no different from State or Federal elections, where voting is compulsory. In contrast, Cr Ben Kunze opposed the move, arguing that voluntary voting does not delegitimize local government.
"Those people that voted for you have chosen to vote," Cr Kunze said. "You've won in a contestable field, and I don't think that de-legitimises local government. Democracy has shown itself where people decided to vote and elected you to represent them."
Cr Jo Page expressed concerns that compulsory voting could introduce party politics into local government, shifting focus from community issues to State and Federal agendas. She also highlighted financial implications, suggesting that if voting becomes compulsory, the State Government should reimburse councils for the increased election costs, as fines for non-voters would generate state revenue.
Support for Four-Year Election Cycles
The council's support for a four-year election cycle aligns with Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley's previous statements favoring longer cycles to address voter fatigue and rising election costs. Currently, local government elections are voluntary in Western Australia and South Australia, while all other States have compulsory voting.
Mr Hall reiterated that the current two-year election cycle causes significant disruption to council operations every 20 months, and a four-year cycle would provide more stability. Cr Jesse Jacobs supported this view, calling compulsory voting a "logical progression" and noting that it could make council elections more dynamic while reducing waste from sending ballots to all residents.
Addressing Voter Confusion and Democratic Principles
Deputy mayor Mark Bain opposed the four-year cycle, citing voter confusion over preferential voting for two representatives in a single ward. However, Mr Hall countered that an education campaign could resolve such issues and pointed out that the number of councils overturned in elections is minimal, which he views as a natural part of democracy.
Cr Kunze initially feared a four-year cycle could lead to a complete council wipeout due to contentious issues but changed his stance after considering caretaker provisions and evidence from recent years. "I now have sort of changed my thinking to the fact that it makes more sense to have an election every four years," he said.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between ensuring democratic legitimacy and preserving local government's community-focused nature, with the council's decisions reflecting a cautious approach to electoral reform.
