Fremantle Council Unanimously Rejects State Government Electoral Reforms
The City of Fremantle council has delivered a stark warning to the State Government, opposing proposed changes to local government elections that include introducing compulsory voting and implementing full spill elections every four years. Council members voted unanimously to maintain the current system of voluntary voting and half-spill elections every two years, arguing the reforms could destabilise effective governance.
Comparisons to Eastern States and Documentary Warnings
During the council meeting, members drew direct comparisons to the political dysfunction depicted in the ABC documentary Rats In The Ranks and the satirical series Grass Roots. Cr Andrew Sullivan strongly advocated for preserving Fremantle's electoral model, stating it has fostered a stable, progressive, and well-functioning council that benefits the community.
"I would encourage our State Government to go and look at local government in those other States," Cr Sullivan emphasised. "In Fremantle we've been able to be a very stable, a very progressive, a very well-functioning council for a very long period of time and our community gets the benefit of that."
Defending the Two-Year Election Cycle
Council members defended the existing half-spill election system, where half the council faces election every two years, as crucial for maintaining institutional knowledge and continuity. Cr Frank Mofflin highlighted that this approach ensures consistency with strategic plans and community expectations.
"A half-spill election every two years I think is a really valuable way in which we retain knowledge and experience within council," Cr Mofflin explained. "My fear would be that if you do have a four-year spill, that things that council has been working on aligned to strategic plan, aligned to community expectations, may just get thrown out."
Financial Savings Versus Governance Risks
Cr Sullivan dismissed potential cost savings from less frequent elections as insignificant, warning that the real risk lies in creating dysfunctional, party-political councils that prioritise electoral supporters over community needs. "What will make a massive difference to the community if they end up with dysfunctional argumentative councils that are party political and really don't answer to the community," he cautioned.
Cross-Generational Support for Current System
Even younger council members like Cr Jemima Williamson-Wong, who noted she wasn't old enough to watch the referenced documentary, supported maintaining the status quo. She described becoming a councillor as a "crazy job" that benefits from the support of continuing members through the two-year cycle.
Contrasting Positions Among Neighbouring Councils
The debate reveals divergent approaches across Western Australian local governments:
- The Town of East Fremantle recently overturned a staff recommendation to support compulsory voting while keeping the two-year election cycle.
- The City of Melville and City of Cockburn councils backed voluntary voting and biennial elections without debate earlier this month.
Currently, voting in local government elections remains voluntary only in Western Australia and South Australia, with all other states having compulsory voting. Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has previously expressed support for longer election cycles, citing concerns about voter fatigue and rising election costs.
If reforms proceed, Fremantle council wants members elected in 2025 to complete their four-year terms, with any transition to four-yearly elections beginning in 2029 or 2031. Cr Mofflin humorously noted that while he recommended Grass Roots to his colleague, a series about Fremantle council would be "boring as batshit" due to its stable functioning.
