By Charlene Macaulay
A Wyndham councillor has lost his bid to postpone this year’s mayoral election so councillors contesting the state election can participate.
Councillor Josh Gilligan’s notice of motion was shot down at last week’s council meeting, with fellow councillors saying the council should not change meeting dates to accommodate outside interests.
“Whether it’s to run for a state election or family or work commitments – I would not like to set a precedent to see meeting dates changed to meet the needs of individual circumstances,” Cr Kim McAliney said.
Cr Gilligan wanted to move the mayoral election from November 21 to November 28 to ensure that councillors running in state seats will be available to attend.
“That would ensure the democratic participation of all 11 councillors … and, of course, making sure that any councillor that obviously wishes to contest the state or federal election are entitled to do so, but that they are also given the opportunity to exercise their rights as elected representative at that statutory meeting,” Cr Gilligan said.
Councillors who nominate as candidates for state or federal elections should apply for leave of absence from the council between the date of nomination and close of voting, according to Municipal Association of Victoria guidelines.
That means any councillor contesting this year’s November 24 state election will miss both Wyndham council’s November ordinary council meeting and the mayoral election. They would not be able to perform any council duties during that period.
Cr Gilligan’s motion did not include a request to change the date of the ordinary meeting.
Councillor Intaj Khan backed the motion and said councillors should be supportive of others seeking more leadership.
According to Star Weekly inquiries, at least three Wyndham councillors are eyeing state seats.
Cr Hooper is considering an independent candidacy for the seat of Altona, and councillors Khan and Walter Villagonzalo are also considering tilts. Cr Khan said he was also thinking of running in the next federal election, for which a date has yet to be set.
The motion was defeated, with councillors McAliney, Hooper, Henry Barlow, John Gibbons, Peter Maynard and Mia Shaw voting against the proposed change.
“If I was waiting for an operation … I don’t expect the date would be changed for the statutory meeting,” Cr Barlow said.
Councillors Gilligan, Heather Marcus, Barlow, Shaw, McAliney and Maynard said they would not contest either the state or federal election.
Councillors Aaron An and Gibbons did not respond to Star Weekly by deadline.
