stringtranslate.com

2024 New South Wales local elections

The 2024 New South Wales local elections were held on 14 September 2024 to elect the councils of 127 of the 128 local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, Australia. 37 councils also held mayoral elections, and eight councils conducted referendums.[1]

The New South Wales Electoral Commission (NSWEC) conducted the elections for 125 councils, while the private Australian Election Company conducted the elections for Fairfield and Liverpool. No election was held for Central Darling as the council was under administration.[2]

Background

Liverpool investigation

On 26 April 2024, Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig announced an investigation into Liverpool City Council "amid ongoing reports about dysfunction and staff matters within council".[3]

The investigation concluded on 18 July, and Hoenig announced he intended to defer Liverpool's election and suspend the council because of "widespread and serious concerns about dysfunction".[4]

Electoral system

Like at state elections, New South Wales local elections use optional preferential voting. Under this system, voters are only required to vote for one candidate or group, although they can choose to preference other candidates.[5]

All elections for councillor positions are elected using proportional representation.[6] Some councils use a single ballot paper, while others have an Australian Senate-style ballot paper with above-the-line and below-the-line voting.[7] Councils can be either undivided or be divided into wards ranging from two-member to five-member.[8][9]

Voting is compulsory for anyone on the New South Wales state electoral roll.[10] Property owners, rate-paying occupiers or lessees can apply to be on the "non-residential roll" in an LGA, as long as they are not already enrolled as a resident in that area and if they are eligible to be enrolled for state and federal elections.[11] Voting is not compulsory for those on non-residential rolls, although it is still compulsory in the LGA where they are on the residential roll.[12]

Business vote in Sydney

In 2014 then-Liberal premier Mike Baird introduced a law for that gave businesses that own, lease, or occupy rateable land in the City of Sydney two votes each.[13] Voting for businesses in Sydney also became compulsory.[14] Many critics saw the decision as an attempt by the Liberals to unseat Clover Moore as lord mayor.[15] The business vote came into effect at the 2016 election and was again in force at the 2021 election.[16][17]

Following Labor's victory at the 2023 state election, independent MP Alex Greenwich wrote to the new local government minister, Ron Hoenig, requesting that the business vote was removed.[18]

On 13 September 2023 Hoenig formally announced that the business vote would be removed, starting at the 2024 election.[19] Eligible people will still be able to apply to be on the non-residential roll, however only one person would now be entitled to be enrolled on behalf of non-residents − the same as all other LGAs.[19]

Party changes before elections

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2024 elections.

Political parties

The following registered parties contested the local elections:

In addition, a number of local government-registered parties also contested.[37]

Candidates

A total of 3,889 candidates contested the elections for both mayoral and councillor positions.[38] Of that, 1,635 candidates were contesting councillor and mayoral positions in Greater Sydney LGAs.[39] Candidate nominations closed at midday on 14 August 2024.[40]

The Greens had 376 councillor candidates and 22 mayoral candidates.[41] More than 50 candidates were from a Hellenic background.[42]

Liberal Party missed deadline

On the day that nominations closed, the Liberal Party revealed they had missed the deadline to nominate 164 candidates in 16 different LGAs.[43][44] The error was described by Liberal leader Mark Speakman as "probably the worst act of mismanagement" in the party's history.[45][46]

One day later, on 15 August 2024, the Liberal Party state executive resolved to terminate the employment of its state director, Richard Shields.[47] Shields said party president Don Harwin volunteered to run the nomination process so he could maintain his focus on the next federal election.[48]

Harwin requested that the NSWEC reopened nominations for another seven days, but his request was denied.[49] The party then briefly considered taking legal action against the NSWEC, but ultimately decided against doing so.[50]

Campaign

The Libertarian Party campaigned on ending "woke agendas", smart cities, and cutting council rates, and the party was given a higher chance of winning in areas where the Liberal Party had failed to nominate candidates.[51][52] This was the party's largest-ever local elections campaign.[53][54]

In Cumberland, Our Local Community (OLC) pledged to ban Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies if elected to a majority.[55][56] Shoalhaven Independents Group pledged to re-introduce Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremonies on 26 January if the party gained control of Shoalhaven City Council.[57][58]

More than 50 campaign signs for the Matt Gould Team were vandalised in Wollondilly.[59]

Housing

Housing was seen as a significant issue in the elections, especially in Greater Sydney.[60] Senior officials in the state government were reportedly "bracing for unpredictable election results" that would threaten the housing policies of the Labor government.[61]

A survey conducted by The Sydney Morning Herald found that "protecting local heritage" was the main priority for many candidates in Greater Sydney.[39]

Israel–Hamas war

The Israel–Hamas war was the subject of campaigning in the local elections. A group called "Better Council" targeted Greens candidates in the LGAs of Inner West, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra over the party's "[focus] on radicalism".[62] The group's spokesperson is Sophie Calland, a member of the Labor Party.[63]

Another group, called "We Vote For Palestine", asked candidates to sign their pledge, which includes supporting a ceasefire and divesting from Israel.[64][65]

A number of Labor and Liberal campaign signs in Inner West Council were vandalised with "Boycott Israel" and "This Candidate Votes For Genocide" stickers.[66]

Results

Council totals

Referendums and polls

In addition to the local elections, eight LGAs held referendums and a further two held advisory polls.[67][68][69]

Referendums

Results analysis

Labor

Labor had several significant wins, including gaining majorities in Wollongong and Penrith (the latter after all five Labor candidates in East Ward were elected unopposed) and holding off a Greens challenge on Inner West Council.[72][73] However, the party lost majorities in Canterbury-Bankstown and Cumberland.[74] Labor also suffered swings against them in Fairfield, where the Carbone-Le Alliance was returned to a majority with increased support.[75] Labor's Newcastle lord mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, was also defeated.[76]

Liberal

The Liberal Party was significantly impacted by its failure to nominate many candidates, but also party won a majority in Ryde (including winning Ryde's first directly-elected mayoral election).[77] The party also returned to having representation in Parramatta, after not endorsing candidates there in 2021.[74]

Greens

The Greens won their first-ever seats in Blacktown and Cumberland, as well as a record amount of seats for the party in Bayside, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Wollongong.[74] However, the party lost votes in Randwick.[78]

Libertarian

The Libertarian Party benefited in areas where the Liberals were unable to recontest, especially MidCoast Council, where they became the largest party.[79][80]

This was a record result for the party, which has previously won two seats at the 2012 local elections (under their former "Liberal Democrats" name).[81] The party had the fourth-largest amount of candidates statewide, only behind Labor, the Liberals and the Greens.[82]

Others

Your Northern Beaches Independent Team returned to being the largest party on Northern Beaches Council after the Liberals failed to nominate candidates.[83]

Our Local Community lost its four seats in Parramatta.[84] The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party won four seats (one less than 2021 but one more than what the party had before the election), including two councillors elected in Dubbo.[85]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Including local groups (not to be confused with locally-registered political parties).
  2. ^ Excluding directly-elected mayors.
  3. ^ Including other registered political parties and independents aligned with, but not endorsed by, political parties.

References

  1. ^ Raue, Ben (16 December 2023). "NSW council elections, 2024". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  2. ^ Ittimani, Luca (14 September 2024). "Wondering if you have to vote today? Here's all you need to know about NSW council elections". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Investigation to be launched into Liverpool City Council". NSW Government. 26 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  4. ^ Mackay, Melissa (18 July 2024). "Sydney's Liverpool council faces threat of suspension after damning investigation". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  5. ^ "How votes are counted in a local government election". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ^ "The many party systems of NSW councils". The Tally Room. 29 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  7. ^ "NSW Local Government Elections Website". Antony Green's Election Blog. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  8. ^ Raue, Ben (30 December 2023). "Ku-ring-gai council election, 2024". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Fairfield council election, 2024". The Tally Room. 30 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  10. ^ Christie, Chloe (13 September 2024). "NSW, it's compulsory to vote this weekend". The Daily Aus. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Electoral systems of Australia's parliaments and local government" (PDF). Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand. October 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Non-residential rolls" (PDF). New South Wales Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  13. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (12 July 2021). "Cost to ratepayers of businesses voting in City of Sydney election nears $13m". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  14. ^ "City of Sydney business vote plan may falter, backers concede". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  15. ^ Raue, Ben (5 June 2023). "Time to end non-residential voting for councils". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  16. ^ Raue, Ben (5 September 2016). "City of Sydney council election: business vote the latest battleground in long war". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Non-resident businesses and property owners voting in the City of Sydney election". City of Sydney. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  18. ^ Chuter, Andrew (9 October 2023). "Business vote gerrymander abolished in City of Sydney". Green Left. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  19. ^ a b Hoenig, Ron (13 September 2023). "Fairer democratic elections to return for City of Sydney". NSW Government. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  20. ^ Ruddick, John [@JohnRuddick2] (16 December 2021). "The Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that one of NSW's gutsiest freedom fighters, John Larter, has today joined Australia's best political party" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ a b Kontos, Eric (28 January 2022). "Former Campbelltown mayor has resigned from the Labor Party". Campbelltown: South West Voice. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024.
  22. ^ "I wish to advise my resignation from the (LCIT) Political party, known as the Liverpool Community Independents Team". Facebook. Clr Karress Rhodes - Deputy Mayor. 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Disclosure of Interests form" (PDF). Hay Shire Council. 30 August 2022. J. Discretionary Disclosures. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 December 2023. Member of NSW Nationals since 02/06/2022
  24. ^ Schmidt, John (18 August 2022). "Cancellation of Registration of Political Party" (PDF). New South Wales Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  25. ^ Bharadwaj, Angira (27 October 2022). "NSW Labor dumps Matthew Stadtmiller from party after assault charges". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Russell Fitzpatrick will stand up for the Bega electorate". New South Wales Liberal Party. 24 November 2022. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Meet Our New Coolamon Shire Councillor". Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. 2 October 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  28. ^ "JEREMY CROCKER". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  29. ^ "RUSSELL FITZPATRICK". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Today I have informed the Independent team that I will be seeking membership with the Liberal Party with a view to being Preselected as the Liberal candidate for Ward D at the up coming local Government Election this coming September". Facebook. Paul Paynter Ward D Liberal Councillor for Cessnock. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  31. ^ Segaert, Anthony (15 May 2024). "We asked every Cumberland councillor about the same-sex book ban. Here's what they said". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024. Eddy Sarkis, who left Our Local Community in February after not being endorsed by the party for the upcoming elections
  32. ^ "It was great to join Councillor Sandy Reddy, the Deputy Mayor of Strathfield, as she formally announced her decision to join the NSW Liberal Party". Facebook. John-Paul Baladi: Liberal for Strathfield Council. 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  33. ^ Cowie, Ned (28 June 2024). "David Jones to run under Greens banner for September election". News Of The Area. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  34. ^ a b Kontos, Eric (11 July 2024). "Campbelltown independents join forces ahead of council election". South West Voice. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Local Government Register of Candidates - in Name order" (PDF). New South Wales Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Congratulations Jamie Chaffey". NSW Nationals. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Local government register of political parties". New South Wales Electoral Commission.
  38. ^ "Candidates announced: 2024 NSW Local Government elections". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  39. ^ a b "What do Greater Sydney's council candidates really think? We asked all of them". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 September 2024. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  40. ^ "Don't wait to nominate". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  41. ^ Dr Amanda Cohn [@DrAmandaCohn] (14 August 2024). "Communities across NSW can be reassured that all 376 Greens local government candidates and 22 mayoral candidates got their paperwork in" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Kallos, Dimitri (12 September 2024). "Over 50 Greek Australians striving for success at NSW local elections". Neos Kosmos. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  43. ^ Maddison, Max; Smith, Alexandra; Gorrey, Megan (14 August 2024). "NSW Liberals in chaos as party fails to nominate council candidates". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  44. ^ Holmes, Dan (18 August 2024). "NSW Electoral Commission refuses Liberal Party extension". The Mandarin. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  45. ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (15 August 2024). "Party error sees 100 candidates miss Australia election". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  46. ^ Om, Jason (31 August 2024). "Internal emails reveal Liberal Party scramble before local council debacle". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  47. ^ Davis, Miriah (16 August 2024). "NSW Liberal state director sacked over council nominations debacle". 9News. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  48. ^ Lewis, Alexander (15 August 2024). "NSW Liberal Party director Richard Shields sacked over local election paperwork blunder". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  49. ^ Lewis, Alexander (17 August 2024). "NSW Liberal Party's extension request denied after council election nominations blunder". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  50. ^ "NSW Liberals decide against suing electoral commission over election bungle". Guardian Australia. Australian Associated Press. 20 August 2024. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  51. ^ "Local Council Freedom Manifesto". Libertarian Party NSW. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  52. ^ McLeod, Catie (13 September 2024). "Conspiracists and people linked to anti-lockdown campaigner among 120 'fringe' candidates in NSW council elections". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  53. ^ "Local Council Candidates". Libertarian Party NSW. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  54. ^ "NSW Libertarian Party set to shake up Mid North Coast council elections". News Of The Area. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  55. ^ Brennan, Dechlan (10 January 2024). "Councillors look to ditch Welcome to Country, smoking ceremonies post referendum". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Former Mayor's big call on Welcome to Country ceremonies". Parra News. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  57. ^ Andrea, Peter (16 January 2024). "Shoalhaven Independents to re-introduce Australia Day Awards and Ceremonies". 2ST. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  58. ^ Ellard, Glenn (19 January 2024). "Growing push to return citizen ceremonies to Australia Day". Milton Ulladulla Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  59. ^ "GRUBBY ELECTION TACTICS". Facebook. Mayor Matt Gould. 4 September 2024. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  60. ^ "Council election results may be a message for housing reforms". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  61. ^ "'We cannot build another Wentworth Point': Housing reforms put to the test". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  62. ^ Bresley, Michael (12 September 2024). "Gaza vote set to impact local government elections". The Jewish Independent. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  63. ^ "Roads, rates, rubbish – and war? How foreign conflict could influence NSW's local council elections". The Guardian. 11 September 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  64. ^ "Who's Pledged". We Vote For Palestine. September 2024. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  65. ^ Nellist, Isaac (11 September 2024). "'We vote for Palestine' campaign takes off in NSW". Green Left. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  66. ^ Stewart, Elliott (14 September 2024). "'Quiet' polling booths, vandalism, Labor dominance: Inner West, Canada Bay, Burwood, Strathfield council elections". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  67. ^ NSW Electoral Commission [@NSWElectoralCom] (9 September 2024). "If you are enrolled in one of these local government areas, you will be voting in a referendum for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  68. ^ "Referendums and polls". NSW Electoral Commission. What is a poll?. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  69. ^ "Poll Status". NSW Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  70. ^ "Port Macquarie-Hastings Referendum Election". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  71. ^ "Uralla Referendum Election". New South Wales Electoral Commission. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  72. ^ Humphries, Glen (16 September 2024). "'We'll use it wisely': Labor's pledge as it eyes Wollongong council majority". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  73. ^ Anthony Segaert; Daniel Lo Surdo; Nick Newling (14 September 2024). "NSW council election results 2024 as it happened: Counting concludes; Clover Moore claims victory in City of Sydney". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  74. ^ a b c Raue, Ben (15 September 2024). "Liberals pay for stuff up, Labor gains ground, Greens head west and Libertarians surge – how the NSW council elections played out". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  75. ^ Leeming, Lachlan (15 September 2024). "Labor hit in NSW heartlands amid federal election warning after council results". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  76. ^ Iuliano, Sarah (18 September 2024). "Kerridge declares victory in Newcastle Lord Mayor race". Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  77. ^ "On Saturday 14th of September 2024, VOTE 1 LIBERAL to build a better Ryde". rydeliberals.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  78. ^ "Randwick City Council". Greens on Council. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  79. ^ McLeod, Catie (15 September 2024). "The rise of the Libertarians: 'fringe' party could win 15 NSW council seats after Liberals' bungle". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  80. ^ Duncan, Jeanene (15 September 2024). "Libertarian party takes early lead in MidCoast Council election". Great Lakes Advocate. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  81. ^ "VIDEO: The Libertarian party's record haul at NSW council elections". ABC News. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  82. ^ McLeod, Catie; Thou, Sharlotte (17 September 2024). "Mixed bag for Labor and the rise of the Libertarians: the key surprises in the NSW local elections". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  83. ^ Smee, Kim (15 September 2024). "Northern Beaches Council Election Results: Team 'Orange' Dominates". Manly Observer. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  84. ^ "Clover Moore claims record sixth term as Sydney mayor, hints it could be her last". SBS News. 15 September 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  85. ^ "Congratulations to the SFF team on their fantastic wins at the NSW Local Government elections". Facebook. Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 12 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.

External links