Council votes not to pursue outstanding fines

Media release, 12 November 2009

Moreland City Council has determined not to pursue outstanding fines from no-show voters in last year’s Council election.

A report from the Victorian Electoral Commission, who conducted the 2008 Moreland City Council election, revealed that only 68% of registered voters voted in the 29 November election.

Council elections are compulsory for registered voters in Moreland and must by done by attendance.

Moreland City Council CEO Peter Brown advised that the Council will not be taking further action on the non-voters, explaining it was ‘a no-win game’ to pursue.

“It will cost more to pursue the fines on these no-show voters than the revenue their fines will raise,” he said. “Council has taken a pragmatic decision not to waste good ratepayers money.

“In the next election, Council will be asking the VEC to better promote the attendance at elections in order to reduce the number of non-voters,” the CEO said. “Our aim is to improve education around the campaign. Council has been generous towards no-show voters this time, but will be taking a tougher stance in the future,” he said.