Lord Mayoral Election - City of Perth

Our local Council elections engage in democracy and community; and as much as our new Perth City Council is to lead and collaborate, it needs to learn how to respectfully disagree, especially around contentious and challenging matters such as public safety (including COVID-19 management), creating a destination of choice for businesses and residents; and housing the homeless – yet it has to act united upon its decisions, avoiding the dysfunctionality of the past.

With all eyes on the US Presidential debate or ‘debacle’ at present, highlighting how lucky we are to be living in Western Australia, let’s not lose focus on our City of Perth Lord Mayor and Councillor elections, where sadly, not unlike the US non-compulsory voting system, one could argue our local council election process is ripe for reform, where one would hope our election process elects professionals with the skills and expertise, rather than elevating those with polarised agendas or fixated on power.

Local Council Elections – Sadly Attract Low Registrations

Where the 2020 City of Perth council election has become the most widely, locally publicised for 20 years, for a City of 28,832 (2019 ABS data) residents and close to 15,000 registered businesses, sadly only 15,281 voting papers have been sent out, with the expectation less than this number will bother to lodge their votes. In addition, the City of Perth administration has been policing the validity of eligible candidates and registered voters, especially surrounding ‘sham leases’; noting also license agreements within serviced offices and club memberships are NOT lease agreements.

History shows half the registered voters return their ballot papers within the first week, yet current numbers on 5 October show only 2,600 ballots have been returned, making the fortnight lead-up an incredibly exciting time, for which we are seeing Lord Mayoral and Councillor candidates pushing their campaigns hard, kissing babies and shaking hands (COVID physical distancing and washing hands prevailing) in the lead up to election day, 17 October 2020 - where I urge all registered voters to return their ballots as soon as possible, as every vote counts.

Lord Mayoral Campaign Links and Summaries

My article of 5 September on ‘Who will be Crowned the City of Perth’s Next Lord Mayor’ still holds as a good source linking to all candidate’s campaigns, places some commentary around the role of the Lord Mayor and Councillors and summarises the issues and community driven strategic priorities for the City of Perth.

Your City, Your View – Make your Own Decision & ‘Research the Facts’

Interestingly, I’ve been contacted by prominent business owners and residents on my views in regard to the candidate’s campaigns and their ability to lead the Council for the reduced period of 3 years and only a one year term for half of the 8 elected Councillors.

My message to all is “Research and research again. Read all candidate’s profiles and their campaigns. Listen to their pledges and choose the candidates you, yourself believe will be the best person for the job.”

Sadly, in some of the presentations I’ve sat in, table guests have made quick judgement calls on top votes, without reviewing the candidate’s pledges, understanding if they’ll be able to give full-time commitment, or if their skillsets are more than skin deep to their electoral speeches, delivered within seconds of their time allocations.

Perceived Conflicts

I’ve also had conversations with guests on perceived conflicts, having to voice these matters in regard to 'connections' may well prove advantageous in progressing public private partnerships, placing Perth on the international map in global media and in understanding the regeneration and rejuvenation of some of our City’s precincts.

Perth, being a small City and one of the most isolated in the world, many of us have much less than 6 degrees of separation and although contacts are not contracts, it certainly helps to be connected to both the local and global business community outside the local residents. Conscious of the dealings of the past City Council and the findings of the inquiry, our new candidates have disclosed their investments, holdings and associations that may be perceived a conflict to their public duties. Noting, all candidates in my view, would take an ethical lead and uphold the Australian Public Service (APS) code of conduct, along with abiding by a strict governance regime making governance a ‘priority one’ on the new Council’s agenda.

Key Items for our City of Perth

To reiterate the key items for the Lord Mayor and Council to address, that seem to be rehashed by all:

1. Good Governance & an Inclusive Culture (Values Driven);
2. Public Safety (make Perth safe, including zero tolerance to violence);
3. Homelessness – supporting programs to end homelessness;
4. Destination of Choice – promote Perth through our residents, businesses, investment, tourism and support our City; and
5. Clean and Green – encourage healthier living and a healthier cityscape.

Qualities to look for prior to Casting that Vote

The elected Lord Mayor should embody the following qualities:

1. Strong Communicator and Ambassador for Perth;
2. Strong Community Leader;
3. Ability to provide ‘effective’ Strategic and Corporate Planning;
4. Enhanced Political Governance (ability to remain unbiased and respect other’s opinions);
5. Respective of the role of Lord Mayor, Councillor and CEO / Administration; and
6. Inter-government relations (local, State, Federal and International).

My View ‘The Roundup’

Regardless of your view or opinions, the seven candidates running for Lord Mayor are all GREAT; and West Australians should be proud of any of the 7 hopefuls taking on the lead role on 17 October 2020; and it is a shame not all contenders are running for Councillor roles.

There are 27 candidates for City of Perth Council this year; and should your tick-box choice on the Lord Mayoral ballot paper not be a candidate that is jointly running for a Councillor position, I would strongly urge Di Bain, Sandy Anghie and Bruce Reynolds are within the eight selected nominations on the ‘Election of 8 Councillors’ ballot paper.

Gary Mitchell a Stirling Street resident having worked banking, finance, government and the tourism sectors, holding a CPA for 25 years with over 15 years in the Hellenic community and being a volunteer in and around the city all his life, is another Councillor candidate to be considered in high regard.

Stand-outs within the Councillor list that I am aware and am not associated, nor am endorsing would also include Mark Davidson focussed on bringing community activities, businesses and families back to Perth, utilising his many years of experience in the mining industry to encourage business, expand public security, increase the utilisation of public transport and promote a healthy lifestyle and activities. Brent Fleeton’s videos on social media are well worth watching, promoting bold ideas to reinvigorate the capital, promoting his experience in governance, planning and being held accountable, where he promotes a minerals exchange to East Perth and targeting of international investment. Terressa Lynes, a sixth generation West Australian that holds community values close to her chest and having held the position of Deputy Mayor of the City of Gosnells along with Raj Doshi whom is set to make Perth cleaner, greener and friendlier are also listed as strong candidates.

"The list may be vast, but I urge all voters to research, understand and know the candidates, prior to casting your votes, as they all have spent and will spend, if elected many hours representing 'you' working hard for the City of Perth.

The least we can all do in the lead up (17 October) is to know the candidates and place a respectful, researched and informed vote.

Our City deserves the best, so take the time to vote for your considered best."

To all the candidates running for Lord Mayor and Council positions, I wish you all the very best of luck.