LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ELECTIONS) (MISCELLANEOUS) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 8 September 2009. Page 3074.)

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:41): I thank honourable members for their contribution to the second reading of this bill. I am pleased that members who have spoken have expressed their support for the measures in this bill and that the opposition supports the general thrust of the legislation.

The bipartisan support that the measures have attracted is testament to the thoroughness with which the Independent Review of Local Government Elections went about its task, and the considerable research and consultation that underpinned the review's recommendations. Importantly, these measures will help secure local government democracy, raise the profile of local government in the community and improve voter turnout for this sphere of government.

Transparency of information, such as is proposed in the introduction of candidate statements, further publicity for local government elections and the education of the public by the Electoral Commissioner on enrolment can only be good. The commissioner, of course, in creating the campaign, must consult with the Local Government Association. The bill also matches provisions about misleading material to aid electors in their assessments at election time. The bill has developed and benefited from the information provided by the independent review and the Local Government Association.

I foreshadow that I will be moving two amendments: first, a technical amendment to clarify provisions on the application of voters roll to property franchise members who may have property in several wards; and, secondly, to clarify the application of the caretaker period. I will, however, provide an explanation of those clauses during the committee stage and in the context of the wider clauses.

I believe that I have dealt with matters raised by honourable members in their contributions to date. However, if I have inadvertently left a matter out I am happy to deal with that during the committee stage. I note that both honourable members who spoke to this bill foreshadowed possible amendments. The government also has some minor amendments, but all proposed amendments can be dealt with at the committee stage. I again thank members for their contribution.

Bill read a second time.