QUESTIONS have been raised over local councillors’ political affiliations, as the Wellington Shire Council elections get underway.
In the optional questionnaire supplied to candidates, they can detail whether they are officially endorsed by a political party, as well as other qualifications and attendance at council meetings.
Candidates Scott Rossetti and Darren McCubbin have both been involved in state-level politics, with Mr McCubbin being Labor’s federal nominee in 2010.
Patrick McIvor is also a prominent member of the Nationals, while current candidate Michael Rowell stood for Family First in the 2007 federal election.
All the above candidates said they had not received political endorsements, nor did they seek them.
The candidates said that while all the councillors and candidates were involved in politics in different ways and had various interests, they all stood for the best interests of Wellington Shire.
None of the candidates contacted by the Gippsland Times said they had actively sought endorsement, and all previous councillors said party politics rarely entered discussions at the local level, citing the diverse perspectives of councillors helped with decision making.
“I wouldn’t say my personal membership has anything to do with my approach,” Mr McIvor said. “Party politics don’t belong in council.”
“I have had active membership with the Liberals in the past, but I’m happy Wellington doesn’t have alignments or endorsed candidates,” Mr Rossetti said.
“The council has consisted of a group that works in the best interests of the people, and council works very well.”
“Everyone in Sale knows I’m affiliated with the ALP,” Mr McCubbin said.
“One of the problems is that people can vote in blocs, but in Wellington, all of us vote in different ways on different subjects.”
“Every decision I make if elected to council will be made on its merits and the best interests of the community,” Mr Rowell said.
“I understand that residents may be concerned about larger agendas taking over the decisions of their local council, but the people I have spoken with throughout my campaign seem more concerned about council candidates disclosing other information such as links to current or future property developments in Wellington where they stand to make a personal profit from rezoning land. Perhaps we should look at those type of disclosures as well?”
The Victorian Electoral Commission, which has the questionnaires available on its website, does not require candidates to disclose any previous political party affiliation, membership, or endorsements as part of their nomination.
In an emailed statement, a VEC spokesperson noted that not being endorsed by a registered political party does not mean a candidate is not, nor has never been, affiliated with a registered political party.
