Review of Election Period Policy

Have your say on Council's Election Period Policy

Local council elections are held on the fourth Saturday of October every 4 years, and run by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). The next Council Election Period commences on 24 September 2024.

Wellington Shire Council's Governance Rules require a review of the Election Period Policy at least once in each Council term and not later than 12 months prior to the commencement of an election period. Council reviewed and endorsed proposed amendments to the Election Period Policy on 19 September 2023.

How to have your say

There are two options available for submissions:

1. ‍Online: Complete the Your Wellington Your Say submission here or use the link below; or
2. Hardcopy: Your submission should be addressed to: Governance, Wellington Shire Council, 18 Desailly Street (PO Box 506), Sale VIC 3850 and marked as ELECTION PERIOD POLICY REVISION.

Any person proposing to make a written submission on the Review of the Election Policy must do so no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday 4 October 2023.

Background

The Local Government Act 2020 requires that Council include an election policy in its Governance Rules that prohibits Council decision making regarding specific matters during the Council election period.

Council’s Governance Rules require Council have in place an Election Period Policy that:

1. governs decision making during a local government election period, including what may be considered at a Council meeting;
2. prohibits the use of Council resources for any election campaign purposes, including Federal, State or Council elections;
3. sets out the conditions for any community engagement required to be undertaken during an election period, including consultations and civic events;
4. sets out the requirements for any Council publications during a local government election period – including the website, social media, newsletters and advertising – to ensure Council does not publish materials that relate to issues that are the subject of election campaigns;
5. defines roles and responsibilities in relation to who is the spokesperson for Council during an election period; and
6. sets out the requirements for a Councillor or member of Council staff who is a candidate in an election including a Federal, State or Council election. Council has reviewed its Election Period Policy, which outlines what Councillors can and cannot do during a designated local government Election Period.

Council has reviewed the current policy and made some minor updates to the revised policy as follows:

• Minor formatting and grammar amendments.
• Policy purpose clarified.
• Definitions moved from Appendix to main policy.
• ‘Major policy decision’ deleted as not relevant under Local Government Act 2020.
• ‘Election’ and ‘significant decision’ added to definitions.
• Explanation of the election period statement to improve clarity and include reference to the Act.
• Removal of the requirement for the CEO to certify council publications. This was a requirement under s 55D of the Local Government Act 1989 which is no longer in force.
• Inclusion of a process to manage communications intended for release during the election period.
• Setting out the requirements for a Councillor or member of Council staff who is a candidate in an election including a federal, state or council election.
• Removal of 'Major Policy' definition as this related to a revoked section of Local Government Act 1989. List of prohibited decisions updated to align with s 69 of Local Government Act 2020.

The updates are set out in the Summary of Amendments available in the ‘Documents’ section.

What happens next?

Once you have provided your feedback, we will collate, review and analyse the feedback received, and provide an update to Council.

If you have any questions please contact the Governance team at governance@wellington.vic.gov.au or call 1300 366 244.