IT HAS almost been a year since the local community cast their votes for who should lead our Local Government sector at a grassroots level.
For me, the local council elections are an important time to familiarise yourself with members of the community who have put their hand up to provide essential services and planning for the future needs of your area.
What disappointed me last year, was lack of engagement in the democratic process, with only 33.91 per cent of eligible ratepayers voting in their Local Government elections state-wide.
And I wasn’t the only one concerned when these numbers were released last year- The Bunyip’s coverage of the low engagement sparked conversation across Gawler and the northern suburbs.
Now, I am overjoyed to see progress being made by the State Government to tackle these numbers, and get our com- munity engaged in political discussions about things that effect their day-to-day lives.
As part of the State Government’s Local Government Participation and Elections Review, Minister for Local Government Geoff Brock is seeking feedback from South Australians on several bold and innovative ideas, including the possibility of compulsory voting.
Voting for all levels of government, federal and state, has been compulsory in Australia since 1924, with the process seen as a necessary part of civic duty.
I fail to understand how people think they have the right to criticise council on community issues, when they can’t put in the effort to vote and engage in local politics.
We desperately need a more accurate representation of our electorates, and have all people stand up to have their say.
Our candidates should not need to spend the amount of money and time they do on getting people to show up at election time.
Instead, let them spend their time and money on policies that will make a real difference to our homes, which I am sure more than 33 per cent of ratepayers have an opinion about.
