The integrity of October’s council elections in Wyndham has been questioned by a state upper house Liberal parliamentarian.
MLC Bernie Finn called on the Local Government Minister in Parliament last week to “keep a very close eye on the electoral process in Wyndham”, as he believes attempts are being made to stack the new council.
Mr Finn named serving councillor Intaj Khan specifically, alleging the Harrison ward representative is preparing to run as many as 40 dummy candidates in a bid to gain control of the council after the elections.
Speaking to Star Weekly, Mr Finn said, as shadow parliamentary secretary for electoral integrity and a local MP, he believes it is his responsibility to bring the matter to the minister’s attention.
“I’ve been hearing this for some months, and from various people,” he said.
“If these allegations are true and we go down this path, Wyndham will replace Brimbank as the laughing stock of local government.
“This is not something that I want to see happen. I don’t want this swept under the carpet.”
In a statement of response, Cr Khan labelled any suggestion of him running dummy candidates as “a conspiracy theory”.
“I would like to express that I have been accused … of funding the election through financially supporting the candidates,” Cr Khan said.
“I do have the means to provide such assistance, however, I would like to make it clear that this is a conspiracy, which has been created by a few individuals on social media … and Bernie Finn.”
A spokesman for acting Local Government Minister Richard Wynne told Star Weekly that Mr Finn was entitled to raise his concerns.
“Like any other ratepayer, if Mr Finn is concerned by the actions of any councillors or those who are considering nominating, we would urge him to contact the Inspectorate.”
