|
Latest Updates
VEC recommendeds "Option C" for Latrobe City
The VEC (Victorian Electoral Commission) has announced it's decision, recommending "VEC Option C" for Latrobe City's Electoral Representation Ward Review.
This option, was my second most preferred option, and I applaud the VEC for listening to community feedback, and selecting an option, that will improve the balance between Direct and Proportional Representation. The old model had been in place for the last 15 years, and has been too heavily biased towards Direct Representation, causing unfair disadvantage for some townships.
This option recommended by the VEC, is a good compromise, and I believe will lead to a more balanced representation across Latrobe City. I hope that the Local Government Minister, Jeanette Powell, will approve of the option, as recommended by the VEC.
Links: VEC Electoral Representation Review of Latrobe City Council, Final Report, Final Report Map Latrobe Valley Express newspaper ABC Gippsland radio
Baker advocates for larger multi-Councillor Wards
As part of the VEC's Electoral Representation Review for Latrobe City, residents who had provided written submissions, were given the opportunity to present verbal presentations to the VEC officials in attendance.
I provided a powerpoint presentation which I had prepared in advance, displaying it to the audience on a projector. I also bought along a laser pointer, to indicate key points on the projection screen, throughout my presentation.
Key points during my presentation, included:
1. Most of Victoria's 79 Councils, are larger multi-councillor wards (42 Councils). While Latrobe City's existing single-Councillor-per-ward model, was the least common structure (only 15 Councils).
2. I emphasized that the VEC had a very difficult task in this review. Especially considering how Latrobe City has 3 major urban areas (Traralgon, Moe/Newborough, Morwell), 1 moderate-sized urban area (Churchill), and several smaller towns (Boolarra, Glengarry, Toongabbie, Tyers, Traralgon South, Yallourn North, and Yinnar), distributed across a large geographical area. With Victoria's 79 Councils, Latrobe City is the 4th most populated Council outside of Melbourne, and has more numerous urban areas (3.5), than any other regional Council in Victoria.
3. I supported a change towards larger multi-Councillor wards, as the best compromise, and endorsed the TCDA / MADRA option as my first choice.
Links: Extract of my powerpoint presentation
Baker provides submission for the VEC's Electoral Representation Review
Today I emailed the VEC with my 13 page submission, for it's "Electoral Representation Review", supporting the option jointly presented by the TCDA (Traralgon Community Development Association) and MADRA (Moe And Districts Residents Association).
My submission listed preferred options, from best to worst, and also explained the reasons why.
1st choice (best): TCDA / MADRA Option 2nd choice: VEC Option C 3rd choice: VEC Option D 4th choice: VEC Option B 5th choice (worst): VEC Option A
Refer to the link below, for details.
Links: Baker's VEC Response Submission for Latrobe City's VEC Electoral Representation Review Latrobe Valley Express newspaper
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Local Weather Forecast (7 Days)
|
||||||||
