Now the Day of Local Government Elections Are Over..... What Can Be Done For Next One To Alert Our Community

Time and time again, what I heard was, 'I didn't know about the election but saw the signs in front of the Polling Booth,' or ' no one told me about it', or 'a neighbour told myself about it', or 'We just voted, why do we have to vote again?' and it goes on.

So, is the community right in saying this and what can we do to advise relevant Stake Holders being the voters, the simple fact that 'There is a compulsory election'. 

Well, the first point of view is Council's do not run their own elections. That could be a positive factor in many aspect or it could be a negative as well. The thing  the community might get from this is, 'Oh it is run by the NSW Liberal Government or it is run by the NSW Labor Party (if Government of the Day).

I personally think that is not the main issue. The issues we have been facing  are that we  have 3 tiers of government and this year we have had 2 tiers of government elections in one single year. Local Government elections is held every 4 years and same with NSW State Government but our  Federal Government Elections is every 3 years and hasn't caught up with Local and State Governments where elections are every 4 years for an election to be held. 

So, we really need to change our election time periods to holding elections, so that all tiers of our  government elections are the same.  We need the Federal Government to change their government term to 4 years.

Then, we could have each tier of government election in each different year, consecutively one after the other and a rest for the 4th year.  For example  next Local Government Elections 2016,  next  New South Wales State Elections 2017, and the next Federal Election in 2018 leaving the next year 2019.... a rest year!

Furthermore, we need more alertness given to communicating to the community on dates of Mayoral Elections and Blacktown City Council General Election on the Annual Calendars (that are distributed to all communities). A notification sent with council rates of when the election is due that year. We need the NSW  Electoral Commission to place signs on NSW Government buildings, in our local area, confirming when the election is on in 2020. They could even post the results to community members of the current election, telling them who their elected members of Council are in their ward. Maybe adds on Television and radio will assist as well. We need to inform the community.

Also a letter could be sent from each local elected Councillor, advising the community, of their representation of being an elected Councillor in their Ward.

This is just a shortlist of what can be done, yet we know in the weeks running prior to the election, local newspapers are flooded with articles for candidates, elections subjects and issues etc. On the wider TV media, I heard about it 24 hours before Election day. They are interest in Federal and State elections and only interested in results of the Local Council elections (after the event). This image of  presenting elections to the  community needs to be changed for the better.

NSW Electoral Commission Needs To Do A Better Job Of Promotion At ' Mount Druitt Hub'

 






Well voting pre poll at Mount Druitt Hub, the only way you can tell that there is a election at any time is when candidates cor-flutes are placed on A-Frames.

When it comes to media making sure the community are aware that there is an election, usually there is a lot of  hype and discussion in radio, television, State elections. There is debate after debate, there are polls after polls one says this the other side says this and then each party releases their policies, normally so close to the election date.  Pre Poll for this is automatically known, so the community come as they well educated in this.

Yet when it come s to local government elections the  wider media seem  to take a low key stance in it and  don't advertise much until the  day before itself. The local media do the best job they can do, in the meantime.

So With proper banners like the Electoral Commission do for other elections, there is no 'large' sign outside indicating it is an election. Community members may not understand what is happening and stated to me not everyone reads local newspapers and is involved in local social media face book groups. So this is where we need more than A4 signs outside the Mount Druitt Hub library, banners and A4 cor-fllutes  explaining the Council election is  on.

Local Council Elections Are Compulsory Elections - YOU May Get A Fine If You Don't Vote!

People are always told about Federal and State Elections, but when it comes to New South Wales Local Government elections, if you are not up to date with news, don't read your local newspapers, listen to local radio and/or  local Face Book Groups, then the chances are you may miss voting at a t local Council Election.

I believe their are fines from the New South Wales Electoral Commission, so rather then waste your vote by not voting, make sure your vote counts.

Especially, if you live in our great City of Blacktown, you may not feel you vote counts but it does. Make sure that if you take the time to vote you make your vote formal.

Click here for Information for voters information

Candidate Brad Bunting, Labor Party, Ward 5

Labor Party Posters Up - May Have To Come Down With Fines In Mount Druitt!

Today, I received an email from the Mount Druitt candidate, Joshua Green, complaining about  Labor Party Posters in the Mount Druitt State being placed on electricity poles, which is illegal, without the electricity company's permission. In this case it is Endeavour Energy.

Click here for Joshua Green's Message on Labor Party Posters on electricity light poles

Joshua has further suggested that these posters are on the main roads - Carlisle, Popondetta, Luxford, Woodstock, Jersey, Hyatts, Rooty Hill Rd North. Here are photos of a political signs courtesy from Joshua Green: Click Here 

 I must admit it is a good picture of Councillor Edmond Atalla, portraying him being happy! In the past I have seen political posters that have serious faces - a candidate should be proud of what he or she is doing!

Personally, I thought it was legal as for decades and decades politicians have always been placing their face in any public poles in streets with political posters everywhere. It must have come into law within the last 4 years! I understand that when candidates have information day with the NSW Electoral Commission, this issue would have been addressed - I will try to get this confirmed.

I have conducted a quick research on the Endeavour Energy's website and they confirm what Mr. Green is complaining about. In fact they state that the following:

Click here For Endeavour Energy Details on Political Posters


OR BETTER STILL READ ON

Signs on power poles

Commercial signs and political posters attached without permission on Endeavour Energy’s power poles, streetlight columns or other network equipment is not allowed.

The unauthorised use of our network to post signs is a breach of both the Electricity Supply Act and the Graffiti Control Act.

Posting signs also breaches strict safety rules for working on or near electricity infrastructure, particularly when poles and streetlight columns are adjacent to public roads.

You can report unauthorised signs on power poles in our network here or by calling 133 718.

Please provide the street address, nearest cross street, relevant details of the sign and, if possible, the pole number.  You can also attach photos in your message to us.

We will safely remove unauthorised signs as soon as possible and may invoice the organisation responsible for the cost of doing so.

AND FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE NSW ELECTORAL COMMISSION, Click here  or read the following:

Posters

Once the Writs have been issued for a State election, and commencing on the 40th day before election day for a Local Government election, all posters must show the name and address of the person authorising the printing of the poster, and the name of the printer and the address at which it was printed. These requirements give authenticity to the document and allow the source or printer to be contacted, if necessary. This provision applies whether a poster is displayed on a building, a motor vehicle, attached to a wooden stake or is in banner form.

It is an offence to write, draw or depict any electoral matter directly on any roadway, footpath, building, vehicle, vessel, hoarding or place.

The size of posters is only regulated when they are displayed in certain areas at a polling place on election day. Posters are prohibited within 6 metres of the entrance to a polling place (the actual building). Posters displayed beyond the 6 metre exclusion zone and up to or on an outer wall, fence or other boundary to the grounds are not allowed to be bigger than 8,000 square centimetres (80cm x 100cm) in area. Several single posters of the required size must not be joined together so as to create a sign in excess of the legal maximum size.

Posters are not to be exhibited on or in unoccupied premises, unless permission has first been obtained from the owner. It is also unlawful to attach posters to telegraph poles without the written consent of the appropriate electricity provider.

If the Returning Officer receives a complaint concerning an illegal poster outside a polling place, the candidate, registered political party or community organisation will be contacted and asked to remove it. Election officials are able to remove such posters displayed at a polling place.

A spokesperson I spoke to tonight from Endeavour Energy advised that the fines could be anywhere from $100 upwards to $1,000 each poster. Also advised was that the political posters are issues as it disturbs drivers diving on public roads, which is a safety issue, with high potential risk to cause road accidents.

I also think that the people within our community,do not want streets with with overseen posters as it doesn't look nice to see poster after poster of politicians, their slogans and their political parties! Do not get myself wrong, politicians are human beings, like you and me.  I do and still have my respect for each of them as they do for myself!



Click here for one of the Labor Party Posters Spotted So Far

 Energy Australia enquiry number for this:

Email query

Please enter your details below:
Thank you, your request has been received.
Your reference number is: 1426535372922