Local Government Elections

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:51): Further supplementary: is the minister satisfied with the processes, procedures and control measures put in place by the South Australian Electoral Commission during the last period of local government elections?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (14:51): Thank you to the member for Flinders, the shadow minister. As he is aware, and the house is aware, I am having a review of the local government elections in November last year. We are working at that. We've got a questionnaire going out to the general public, and also to councils and elected members, to make certain that we get that information. The Electoral Commissioner is also finalising his report to the parliament and to the minister, who is me. As soon as we get that I am happy to liaise and communicate with the shadow minister to ensure that we get the best opportunities.

Can I say, in the last election for the council elections—and we are all very concerned about the low turnout and things like that, and the lack of nominations for councillors and also mayors. We need to ensure that we get on top of this for the benefit of not only the community but also councils, in particular, because there have been extra costs involved with that. The shadow minister is very well aware of that.

Again, I will liaise with the shadow minister and also the Electoral Commissioner. I am very happy to have full briefings. If the shadow minister wants a full briefing on anything at all, my office is always available and open for him to come in, as it is for anybody else in this chamber.