9 September 2014

Alex Greenwich MP urges the government to abandon the Shooters and Fishers Party bill which would give each business two votes in Sydney local government elections following damning findings of the impact this has had in Melbourne – the only other place with such a model.

“What has been touted as the ‘successful’ Melbourne Model is now nothing more than the ‘Melbourne Mistake’,” Mr Greenwich said.
 
“The government has been pushing major changes to Sydney’s local government elections including two votes for business, council managed elections and electoral rolls, and permanent non-residential electoral rolls, all because Melbourne does it.
 
“Now the Victorian Local Government Electoral Review has recommended a new model that respects one-vote-one-value, independent elections managed by the Victorian Electoral Commission and a non-residential electoral roll that voters apply to be included on to ensure transparent and fair elections,” Mr Greenwich said.
 
“The Melbourne review recommendations mimic the provisions of my bill, which has the support of NSW Local Government and the City of Sydney and I call on the government to abandon the Shooters and Fishers Party’s dangerous bill and support mine.
 
“Given the findings of the review it would be dangerous to pursue a model which experts declare undermines democracy and has serious flaws. I hope the government heeds this warning,” Mr Greenwich concluded.