Michelle Slater
Latrobe City Council has deferred next week’s scheduled mayoral election until after the outcome of the state election on November 26.
Latrobe City councillors were supposed to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor on Monday, November 14.
The date is being pushed-back until the seat of Morwell has been declared due to the number of Latrobe City councillors contesting the local electorate in state election.
Three councillors are standing for the seat of Morwell, including Liberal candidate Dale Harriman and independents Tracie Lund and Sharon Gibson.
But it means they must step-down from their position as councillors while the election is underway.
Councillors choose a new mayor and deputy annually as part of requirements under the local government Act.
Cr Graeme Middlemiss moved the motion at last night’s ordinary council meeting in order to allow the maximum number of councillors to choose the next mayor.
“At the moment, three councillors have indicated they will be standing for the election, 33 per cent of councillors cannot attend next week’s meeting to elect a mayor and deputy mayor,” Cr Middlemiss said.
“In my view an election that deprives a third of people from a vote is not really a solid foundation for a decent vote. I’m also conscious that these three councillors represent a third of the community.”
Latrobe City will set a date, which will be no later than December 21.
