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Father, son election tilt By Alesha Capone A father and son from the west are contesting this month’s council elections in two different municipalities. Graham McGuire, who served as a councillor and mayor of Williamstown in the 1980-90s, is standing in the Wetlands ward of Hobsons Bay. His son, Shannon McGuire, is a nominee in Wyndham’s Chaffey ward. Both men are running as independent candidates. Graham, a semi-retired lawyer who lives in Seabrook, said he believed Hobsons Bay council should allocate more funding to the Wetlands ward. “The amount of money being spent here, compared to what’s being spent elsewhere, is chicken poo,” he said. “I’m a person who does believe in the 3R’s – roads, rates and rubbish.” Graham said that when he was on Williamstown council previously, he made his home address and phone number available to members of the public, and he was prepared to do so again if he was re-elected. Shannon said he remembered helping his father mail out how-to-vote cards in the ’80s. A former president of the Tarneit North Resident’s Association, Shannon said they were contesting the elections out of a desire “to contribute to the community”. “You have to vote for what the community wants, which might not necessarily be what you want,” Shannon said. “I don’t believe in party politics across the board or on council.” He said Wyndham’s growth, encouraging multicultural groups to work together, roads, public transport advocacy and domestic violence were all important issues facing the area. He said he didn’t to make any pre-election promises he would not be able to keep. “If elected, I will be part of a team of 11 … we all have to agree,” he said.
DR FIRAS HASAN
Postal delays won’t hinder elections The government agency responsible for this month’s local government elections has moved to reassure voters that delays in the delivery of postal votes won’t impact the election process. The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) was last week granted the authority to extend the postal voting timeline for the current Victorian local council elections if needed, to ensure any possible delivery delays by Australia Post won’t negatively impact voter participation and election results. Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said the changes provide an appropriate contingency option in light of community concerns about extended mail delivery timelines arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. “The VEC … will be using the priority paid mail service for all postal ballots mailed and returned, but I accept there may be some delays.” Mr Gately said the strict timelines for the mailing and receipt of ballot packs is prescribed in law. “The authority provided to me by the regulatory amendments allows me … to mitigate the impact that any possible delays could have on the integrity of the elections.” Mr Gately noted the changes won’t necessarily mean the timelines will change, but do provide flexibility if there is any evidence of delays in the postal network. Benjamin Millar
Clockwise from top: Shannon as a child, with his dad, Graham McGuire, a former mayor of Williamstown; Shannon McGuire; Graham McGuire. (Pictures: Supplied)
TULLY SMITH
PREET SINGH
SAHANA RAMESH
Council candidates make their pitch A candidate standing in the Wyndham council election says he hopes to help make the municipality the healthiest in the state, or even the nation. One of the 86 candidates standing in Wyndham, Dr Firas Hasan – a chiropractor of 11 years – has nominated in the Chaffey ward. Dr Hasan said that despite Medicare, a lot of health services remain out of reach for many residents. He said that if elected, his plan was to set up a council website to connect residents with health professionals, and connect patients with an affordable lending source, to help them pay for treatments. Dr Hasan said that he would also invest funds in outdoor exercise equipment, additional walking tracks and exercise spaces. 10 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 7 October, 2020
Another Chaffey ward candidate, Preet Singh, has announced he will not be providing preferences to other candidates in the election race. Although Mr Singh is a Liberal Party member, he said he wanted voters “to choose the other candidates they feel will best serve our community.” “I actually find it distasteful the way in which some candidates are ‘horse trading’ mythical blocks of votes they claim to have control over,” Mr Singh said. “To be honest it’s rank to think some of the candidates view sections of our community as just being a pathway to becoming a councillor.” Harrison ward candidate Tully Smith said he has launched a campaign to “save” the
Elements estate school site in Truganina, after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal gave the developer permission to build 227 residences there. “If elected, I will work with the state government and the developers to save this site,” Mr Smith said. Mr Smith said his other plans included calling for a Point Cook aquatic centre on vacant land opposite Phoenix Hotel and to advocate for full funding for the Truganina Community Centre. Sahana Ramesh, who is also standing in Harrison ward, is running on a platform of improved local transportation; better options for outdoor activities; more support for local businesses; and carbon neutral and green spaces.
Ms Ramesh said she was paying for her election campaign out of her own pocket, and was not accepting any donations, to keep her political position “transparent, clean and simple”. “With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, an issue that is important to me, I have decided to use my donation rights (as a candidate) to raise money for the Werribee Hospital instead,” she said. Ms Ramesh has encouraged supporters to make a donation to the Werribee Hospital Foundation via: www.mycause.com.au/ page/237272/werribee-hospital-foundation. Voters will receive a ballot pack from the Victorian Electoral Commission early this month, with voting to close on October 23.