Busselton & Collie Councils Back Compulsory Voting

0:00Here's more Sydney news for March 12th. Counselors in the city of Bustleton and Shire of Kali have thrown their support behind making voting compulsory for Western Australia's local government elections. These are two of the bigger regional areas pushing the idea, where voting is currently voluntary. Western Australia and South Australia stand alone, as the only state without mandatory council voting, low turnout has been a big issue, with candidates sometimes winning on fewer than 21st preference votes. Debate has been lively, with Bustleton's mayor praising it as peak democracy, though some newer councillors argued it could just bring in casual or silly votes. Kali councillors also backed extending terms from two to four years, despite staff advice against the change. The Western Australia Local Government Association is now collecting feedback from council statewide, as reforms loom. The local government minister has voiced concerns over turnout and openness to the shift. Experts like political analysts point out that compulsory voting could curb French candidates

1:03by forcing broader appeal, much like state and federal, systems, and simplify things overall for voters. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor, a pillow that plays your podcast, music, or white noise privately. No earbuds required, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com