Candidates

To become a candidate in a council election, you must be enrolled on the voters’ roll for the election. You can nominate to be a candidate in any of the seven wards in Hobsons Bay.

The VEC provides information for candidates and parties on becoming a candidate in a council election, which includes information on handbooks, forms, campaigning, funding and donations.

Candidate Qualifications

To be a candidate for a council election, you must: 

  • be an Australian citizen.
  • be aged 18 years of age or over.
  • be enrolled on the voters' roll for the council in which you wish to stand.
  • have completed the mandatory Local Government Candidate Training.
  • not be disqualified from being a councillor.

The Election Manager appointed by the VEC will reject a nomination from a person who is not enrolled on the voters’ roll for the election.

Disqualifications

You cannot be a candidate for any of the following reasons:

  • You are an undischarged bankrupt.
  • You have property that is subject to control under the law relating to bankruptcy.
  • You are a member of council staff of the council – you can take leave from this role in order to nominate.
  • You have been convicted of any of the criminal offences referred to in section 34(2) of the Act.
  • You are a councillor with another council, including interstate councils.
  • You are member of an Australian parliament, including the federal parliament or in any state or territory.
  • You are employed by a federal or state member of parliament as a ministerial officer, a parliamentary adviser or an electorate officer – you can take leave from these roles in order to nominate.
  • You are otherwise incapable of becoming or continuing to be a councillor.

Further details are outlined in theLocal Government Act 2020.If unsure of you’re eligible, seek independent legal advice.

Information sessions

The Victorian Electoral Commission is running three info sessions for candidates:

◾ Wednesday 4 September, 7.15pm, Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, Altona (please note, this session has been moved from Williamstown Town Hall due to storm damage)
◾ Thursday 5 September, 11am, Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, Altona
◾ Friday 6 September, 7pm, Laverton Community Hub

No need to register, you can just turn up on the day.

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