Perth Voice Interactive

Following low voter turnouts across WA’s council elections last month, Vincent mayor John Carey wants compulsory voting introduced.

“Often people are most passionate about local issues, and given this interest in people’s daily lives it seems bizarre to me that we have compulsory voting in state and federal regimes but we don’t for local,” he says.

“When you speak to state and federal politicians it’s quite interesting that when they go door-knocking often the number one issues raised are local government issues: Parks, parking, footpaths…”

Notre Dame University politics lecturer Martin Drum says compulsory voting in council elections increases turnouts, which helps to add, “legitimacy to those elected, as they more genuinely represent the wider community sentiment if more people vote”.

“Furthermore, compulsory voting forces our elected representatives to seek broader support for their positions, rather than catering only to specific sections of the community.”

Mr Carey would also like to see online voting given a go, to make it easier for people to have their say.

The Barnett government has ruled out compulsory voting for councils.

by DAVID BELL