Local Government Elections

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Can the minister report on the level of interest at the local level in the upcoming local government elections?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government) (15:01): I thank the member for Giles for his question and also acknowledge his 23 years in local government and his contribution as deputy mayor of the City of Whyalla.

I am sure all members here will welcome the fact that a record number of nominations have been received for this year's local government elections—1,334 people have chosen to stand and this is the highest number since the period of significant council amalgamations that occurred in the latter part of the 1990s. It is also very pleasing to note that there is the lowest number of candidates who have been elected unopposed—73, which compares to 100 at the 2010 elections, 144 in 2006, 172 in 2003 and 226 in the 2000 elections.

It is also good to be able to report that a record number of women are standing as candidates—381, which equates to 28.56 per cent of the total number of candidates. However, I am sure we all welcome the increase but it is obvious that we—that is, everybody in this chamber and South Australia—have a lot more to do to correct this gender imbalance.

Based on information sourced through the LGA, I see that there are also 30 mayoral elections out of a total of 51 councils where electors directly elect the position of mayor. In my view, the more mayoral contests, the better, because they help to enliven the community debate and participation in the elections is always higher.

Given the large number of candidates presenting themselves for election this year, I think we can all look forward to, and have already seen, some robust debates—very robust debates—about a wide range of issues that concern local residents and property owners. Common issues I am aware of include local planning issues, the efficiency and effectiveness of council service delivery and issues which have come to the fore this year like the impact of the commonwealth budget decisions relating to pensioner concessions and supplementary road funding.

I am sure we are all aware that local communities have a very high expectation about the performance and conduct of their council members—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order!

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: —so it is no light decision to put yourself forward as a candidate. Consequently, I have a very strong belief that councillors should be supported to maintain and improve the currency of their knowledge and the level of their skills in order to fulfil their responsibilities as locally elected officials.

I am advised that the mailout of voting material to all electors will commence on Monday 20 October, with close of voting at 5pm on Friday 7 November. Scrutiny and the counting of papers will begin on Saturday 8 November, and I know there will be lots and lots of people in the counting rooms waiting for the outcomes.

The local government elections appear to be off to a positive start and I commend all who have put themselves forward as candidates for the service of their communities. In a system that is based on voluntary voting, the issue about levels of voter participation is never far away, and I know there are people in this chamber who have had local government experience and I believe everybody here would like to get that voting participation percentage up, and we should do whatever we can to ensure we get the numbers out there.

I understand that, before the introduction of postal voting in 1997, voter participation rarely exceeded 20 per cent of eligible voters. In the 2010 elections, statewide voter participation was 32.88 per cent, a small increase in the 2006 figure of 31 per cent. I have already met with many councillors and I look forward to meeting the newly elected councillors in the near future.