THERE’S a council election coming in September, and would-be councillors and their campaign supporters have been warned to take note of new laws – including a ban on the mayor’s column in the Lakes Mail.
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The NSW Electoral Commission said the new laws sought to reduce potential corruption and undue influence at local government level.
The laws aim to regulate donations and the management of donations and expenditure for local government elections.
It means that the same rules and regulations now apply for political donations in relation to NSW local government elections as they do for state elections.
“Donations are capped at $5,900 to any registered party or group, and $2,600 to an unregistered party, elected member, candidate or third party campaigner,” a spokesperson for the NSW Electoral Commission said.
“It is now unlawful in a local government election for a person to make or accept a political donation that exceeds the relevant cap.”
There will be an election for Lake Macquarie City Council on September 10 because the council is not subject to merger proposals.
For councils that are subject to merger proposals, the next election will be in 2017, probably in March.
The Office of Local Government has issued a circular to all councils detailing the meaning of “electoral matter” and rules relating to the use of council resources prior to local government elections.
The circular highlights that council officials “must not use council resources, property (including intellectual property), and facilities for the purposes of assisting their election campaign or the election campaign of others unless the use is lawfully authorised”.
Another key law change dictates that in the 40 days preceding the election, “councils need to consider whether their publications could amount to an electoral matter”.
In Lake Macquarie, it means mayor Jodie Harrison will not be permitted to have her mayoral column published in the Lakes Mail in the 40 days leading up to the election.
“It is important that all candidates and parties know and follow the new rules as there are serious consequences if they are not followed,” NSW Electoral Commission chairman Keith Mason said.
