On Friday, the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate announced it would be interviewing all 95 candidates that contested the 2016 Wyndham council election. Star Weekly’s Charlene Macaulay and Alesha Capone spoke with Wyndham councillors, former councillors and council candidates to gauge their views on the investigation, and last year’s election campaign.
Mayor Henry Barlow: “As a legitimate candidate, I was concerned in the pre-election period as to which candidates were running and just as to where it was all going to lead, however the members of the council who were elected have all worked closely together.”
Deputy mayor Kim McAliney: “I applaud the Inspectorate for making this announcement … this hopefully will put out a signal to future candidates that running for council is serious business.”
Cr Aaron An: “I welcome this investigation and I think good governance is important for the community. I will be providing all the information needed for the process.”
Cr Tony Hooper: “Quite honestly, I’m welcoming this process and I’m more than happy to co-operate with whatever they need.”
Cr Heather Marcus: “It was my fourth council election, I think, and it was the dirtiest campaign I ever experienced and I was so upset by everything that happened, which is why I welcome the Inspectorate and the government investigating everything.”
Cr Intaj Khan: “This has restored my faith in the Inspectorate, because I’ve felt as though it’s been attacking me.”
Cr Mia Shaw: “While I welcome the investigation and will fully and openly participate, I am disappointed that the alleged unlawful actions of some have tainted last year’s election for those of us who were legitimate candidates and who followed the election process lawfully and with respect.”
Cr Josh Gilligan: “I think, in the interests of transparency, it’s [the investigation] a good idea. The state government should consider an optional preferential voting system for the 2020 council elections.”
Cr Walter Villagonzalo: “If there were some problems in this election, hopefully it can be fixed for the next election.”
Cr Peter Maynard: “I’m more than happy to co-operate with the Inspectorate.”
Former councillor Adele Hegedich: “Something was definitely amiss in this election, and something needs to be done to make sure this doesn’t happen again. There were candidates that had deep pockets and were willing to spend anything to get what they need.”
Former councillor Michelle Wharrie: “I’m not sure anything will come of it, because some of the answers they get will not be honest. I had a lot of concerns regarding some Labor Party candidates – just mainly branch stacking.”
Former councillor Marie Brittan: “It wasn’t just the way some candidates conducted themselves, some had no campaign, no idea what they were standing for or what their role would be.”
Council candidate Emily Yuille: “At the end of the day, some of the councillors who were elected are highly capable people. I do believe they are doing a good job – then some of them are people that are questionable.”
Council candidate John Frost: “It’s disappointing that it’s come to this.”
Councillor John Gibbons did not return Star Weekly’s calls for comment.
