This is a solo episode, where Ben runs through all the key parts of the story of how and where the NSW Liberal Party failed to nominate almost a third of candidates for the NSW local government elections next month, covering the scale of the issue, what may have caused it, how it may affect the political balance in each council, the threat of legal action and what could be done to mitigate these issues for next election.
This podcast is supported by the Tally Room’s supporters on Patreon. If you find this podcast worthwhile please consider giving your support.
You can listen to an ad-free version of this podcast if you sign up via Patreon for $5 or more per month.
This podcast is sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.
You can subscribe to this podcast using this RSS feed in your podcast app of choice, but should also be able to find this podcast by searching for “the Tally Room”. If you like the show please considering rating and reviewing us on iTunes.
Ben, I’m not sure you’re correct about the formality requirements for voting below the line in warded councils. The Electoral Commission’s website indicates no difference between wards and undivided councils – numbering to half the number of vacancies is formal in each ( https://elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/how-voting-works/voting-in-new-south-wales/ballot-paper-formality-guidelines ). This agrees with my recollection of scrutineering last Council election in the Blue Mountains where there are 3-member wards: the formality requirement was and as far as I know still is to number two or more if voting below the line.
Thanks for that Dryhad, you’re correct. It is half, rounded up, to cast a formal below the line vote.
Do you happen to remember how far into the podcast I said this? Might cut it out.
About a minute or so starting 14:45 and including a practical example of Hornsby which is complicated by also involving the potential impact of the Mayoral contest.