With only three days until the polls close, just a third of the Wyndham electorate has cast their vote in the local government election.
As of Tuesday morning, only 47,081 of the 141,021 enrolled voters – about 33 per cent – had returned their ballot papers in the postal vote. At the 2012 election, 68 per cent of residents voted.
This year’s election in Wyndham has broken a national record for the highest number of candidates vying for a spot on the council – 95 hopefuls are fighting it out for just 11 places.
The voter turnout, though still early, seems to back Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Bernie Finn’s prediction last month that at least 50 per cent of voters would be overwhelmed by the sheer number of candidates.
Municipal Association of Victoria chief executive Rob Spence this week said it was understandable voters felt overwhelmed by so many choices, but it was still important that they vote.
“It’s clear from previous election statistics that some people take this vote for granted. This is disappointing … it is an important democratic right.”
As the campaign draws to a close, retiring councillor Glenn Goodfellow issued some advice for candidates.
In his final speech at Monday night’s council meeting, Cr Goodfellow said politics is about public service.
“Politics must be a quest for responsibility, not just a game about the pursuit of authority, power, position or privilege,” he said. “It is about service to and for the people.
“You are a servant to the people. This should always be at the forefront of your thinking and doing.”
Along with a record number of candidates, this year’s election has included a wide-ranging number of promises with candidates saying they’ll deliver everything from a new hospital for Tarneit, develop Werribee South into Melbourne’s Gold Coast, to better roads and policing.
Cr Goodfellow urged candidates to put their “self-importance” aside and stick to policies they could control.
“We should never make decisions because we want to be popular in the eyes of some,” he said. “We should make decisions that are in the best interest for the future of our community.”
Long-serving councillor Heather Marcus, who is seeking re-election, took aim at candidates who criticised the incumbent council and its councillors.
“I’ve cried because of the rot that’s being put out during this campaign,” she said.
Ballot papers must be returned by post or to the election office at Central Park Community Centre by 6pm on Friday, October 21.
A $78 fine applies for enrolled voters who do not return their ballot papers.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Inspectorate this week confirmed it is investigating councillor Intaj Khan over his alleged failure to declare property and commercial interests. Cr Khan is seeking re-election in Harrison ward.
