Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins has promised the return of democratically elected councillors to Brimbank next October, despite calls to keep administrators.
Possible council candidate John Hedditch told Star Weekly that administrators should serve another term, citing concerns the election process could again be corrupted by Labor Party branch-stacking.
And Western Metropolitan MP Khalil Eideh asked Ms Hutchins in Parliament recently what measures had been put in place to ensure the election was free of corruption and the transition from administrators to councillors was “smooth”.
He said the community had “prospered” under administrators, but democracy had to be returned to the area.
“One of the important elements of living in a westernised world is the power of democracy,” Mr Eideh said.
“The power will go back into the hands of residents, and they will be able to democratically elect the people they believe will represent the needs of their community best.
“The community has been without representation now for six years … I am pleased that, from next year, the community of Brimbank will return to being represented by councillors. This is a very important step.”
Three recent councillor information sessions have been attended by almost 50 people, with 24 registered to attend a further session on November 30.
Ms Hutchins said she had met with the administrators’ chairman, John Watson, and former chief executive Bill Jaboor earlier this year to “emphasise the need to fully prepare the community for the return to democracy”.
“The return to elected councillors is an important milestone for the Brimbank community,” she said. “I encourage residents interested in standing to find out more, and I urge every voter to have their say at the ballot.”
