By Mitchell Clarke
The upcoming Cardinia Shire local government elections have been given the green light to go ahead, despite calls to postpone the vote due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scheduled for Saturday 24 October, Local Government Minister Shaun Leane confirmed the elections can proceed following advice from Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
“The Chief Health Officer has advised that October represents a period when risk is likely to be substantially lower than at present, and there are no compelling public health grounds for the elections to be delayed,” Mr Leane said on Wednesday 19 August.
Mr Leane said Professor Sutton had been working with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to ensure appropriate physical distancing, cleaning, hygiene and workforce planning had been considered and met the VEC’s CovidSafe plans.
“This decision was not made lightly and is based on the best public health advice available,” he said.
“I am pleased Victorian communities can have their say on their local government representatives at democratic council general elections as planned.”
The clarification comes after recent media speculation about whether, in fact, the elections should be called off.
When questioned, a Cardinia Shire Council spokeswoman said the council had actively taken part in discussions with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
The Municipal Association of Victoria has been calling for a 12-month deferral of council elections, citing the principle of ‘free and fair’ local government elections was under “significant strain”.
“Our position remains the same,” a MAV spokeswoman told the Gazette.
According to VEC Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately, postal voting was “safe” and of “high integrity”.
“The situation remains dynamic and the VEC continues to actively monitor conditions and restrictions,” Mr Gately said.
“Additional measures in place include increased distancing in election offices, limiting face-to-face contact, enforcing mask wearing where mandated by the Victorian Government, and moving operational activity online whenever possible.”
For councillors and candidates, a set of Safe Campaigning Guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The guidelines are said to provide advice on how to safely conduct permitted campaign activities and information on safety, hygiene and physical distancing for campaign teams.
A compulsory online candidate training course has also been launched by the State Government, which is one of the new reforms introduced through the new Local Government Act.
