Local council elections are held every four years while State and Federal Government elections are held every 4 and 3 years, respectively. The overlapping of the three tier governments can and does give rise to candidates who become Councillors and are aligned with a political party, and opportunity to prove themselves to their political parties at State and Federal levels, before they chose to stand for higher politics while still a Councillor.  However, what about the residents who voted them into local councils and what they promised to deliver?

Is there a lesson for Port Phillip voters and in fact all voters throughout the City of Port Phillip in council elections, to stay clear of political candidates who stand on the blue, red or green platforms?

They were severely routed out at the last council elections and for good reason. The CoPP does not need party politics, Spring Street agendas, and ideological tribalism that ensures certain voting patterns in the Chambers, that may not be in the best interests of ratepayers. Residents, whether they be a ratepayer or a renter or a business owner, simply want good and reliable services delivered and a city well maintained and efficiently run.

Now let’s continue the good work of Councillor Thomann and clock up some more runs on the board for St Kilda!

Speaking of councillors who stand as a representative of a political party, a further concern should be voiced and the cost to the community.

The move to single member wards which took place in October 2024, replaced an electoral ward system represented by multiple Council members. Last term there were 3 Councillors per ward and now only one per ward.

Previously any vacancy due to a Councillor removing themselves from Council, say due to another life opportunity or winning a seat at the State or Federal government level, would be backfilled by a countback of electoral votes to replace the vacating member. Now, with the move to single member wards, there can be no countback and a by-election is mandatory! The estimated cost of a by-election for replacement of a vacating councillor is somewhere between $130,000 to $180,000! – And guess who pays the bill? Yes, you pay the bill.

Over the years, it seems to be a known practice in local councils to cut your teeth as a Councillor and then after learning the ropes to throw your hat in the ring and look for a “political upgrade”; and along the way vote up handouts that our outside Council remit, at the cost, again, to the ratepayers.

By any measure, is this a breach of trust on the local voters who expect their councillor(s) to stay in the job for the full four-year term? Council has witnessed one or more sitting councillors in a single term who have utilised council as a stepping stone to state or federal politics. If one or more Councillors put up their hands and are pre-selected by their party to run, then Council by-election costs also multiply by the same number of those chosen to run in a given Council ward.

Whatever the situation, it is not what the average punter wants or expects. Does this give weight or confirm the distrust that many may have in voting for candidates tied to political parties in local elections, leading to doubts about who they actually represent on the street?

If you try for an electoral upgrade to state or federal politics while a sitting councillor and happen to win, please pay the ratepayers the cost to us of your ambitions.

And on a final note – If any future local council candidate or sitting councillor is running again as a candidate in 2028 for Council, do the right thing and warn voters if you are using the council platform for higher electoral office aspirations. We may think twice as to which candidate we want to represent us and who is there for the long haul!

What’s happening in your ward with the upcoming State elections?