Perth Voice Interactive

INCUMBENT Stirling mayor Mark Irwin has won another term, pulling in 62 per cent of the vote over Elizabeth Re in a two-way race.

Cr Re, who is probably Mr Irwin’s most vocal rival on council, remains at Stirling in her councillor role through to 2025.

No incumbents lost their seats, though it was a near-run thing in a couple of wards. 

The new optional preferential voting system caused an upset in Osborne Ward’s four-candidate race: On first preference votes newcomer Mary Argese was ahead with 1,757 first preference votes over incumbent Lisa Thornton’s 1,712. But that was well below the absolute majority of 3,093 needed for outright victory, leading to two rounds of preference counts.

Cr Thornton absorbed some preferences from fourth place candidate Sergio Famiano and third place candidate Wayne Dropulich as they were eliminated, ending up with 2,725 votes to Ms Argese’s 2,493.

Cr Thornton told us the new system made for a nervous time during the count, but added, “I believe it was fairer and more democratic.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster day for me, because I started off in a bit of a trough, thinking, ‘I’m not going to make it from here’.”

But as Mr Famiano’s 2nd preferences were distributed Cr Thornton pulled ahead, and ended up even more comfortably in front after the third count.

Cr Thornton had not done any “how to vote” deals with other candidates, and asked why she might have drawn so many second preferences, Cr Thornton said: “I don’t think I’m a polarising type of elected member; I’ve got a good reputation out there.” 

Mr Dropulich is an old hand at preferential voting elections: In 2012 he won a federal senate seat as a member of the Australian Sports Party with a record-low primary vote of just 0.2 per cent, or 1,908 votes. That was the year election-whisperer Glenn Druery arranged preference deals for minor parties to share around votes. 

In Inglewood ward there were four-year and two-year terms up for grabs, as former councillor Bianca Sandri had left halfway through her term when she won employment as a director at Bayswater council.

Newcomer Damien Giuduci, who’s worked with community group Inglewood on Beaufort to improve the town centre, came in first with 34.76 per cent of the primary vote. That means he gets the full four year term to 2027, and incumbent David Lagan got second-place so he gets the remaining half of Ms Sandri’s term until 2025. Returning candidate Daniela Ion missed out, as did new progressive candidate Sophie Morrison.

The other new face on council is Rob Paparde who got a strong result in coastal ward, winning 53 per cent of the vote over Colleen Pearce and Simon Wheeler. Incumbent Felicity Farrelly had opted not to run, and had supported Mr Wheeler’s campaign. 

Cr Paparde has previously worked for the Barnett government, federal Liberal MP Vince Connelly, and he was a part-time research officer for fellow councillor Tony Kristevic back when Cr Kristevic was state MP for Carine. 

Other wards maintained the status quo.

Joe Ferrante had a close run to keep his Inglewood seat, at 52.32 per cent against sole rival Belinda Evangelista.

Hamersley ward incumbent Chris Hatton was first place with 55.29 per cent over Lynne Noack’s and Catherine Fowler.

Doubleview ward’s Stephanie Proud kept her spot with 54.56 per cent against John Noakes and Tonia Poggioli.

In Balga Ward councillor Michael Dudek defended his seat with 48.57 per cent of the primary vote, beating Amy Blitvich, Ram Tin Thei and Elizabeth Ogilvie.

Just over 27 per cent of Stirling electors voted, falling below the state average of 29.16 per cent.

by DAVID BELL