2020 Victorian local elections

Last updated
2020 Victorian local elections
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 First partySecond partyThird party
 
IND
 Labor Placeholder.png Liberal Placeholder.png
LeaderN/AN/AN/A
Party Independents Labor Liberal
Seats won4456750
 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
  Samantha Ratnam (cropped).jpg
AJP
LDP
Leader Samantha Ratnam No leaderNo leader
Party Greens Animal Justice Liberal Democrats
Last election29 seats01
Seats before2800
Seats won3922
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 10Increase2.svg 2Increase2.svg 2
 Seventh partyEighth partyNinth party
 
PCF
VS
SAP
LeaderNo leaderNo leaderWilliam Bourke
Party Put Climate First Socialists Sustainable
Last electionDid not existDid not exist0 seats
Seats before001
Seats won110
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1Decrease2.svg 1
2020 Victorian local elections.jpg
Results by LGA

The 2020 Victorian local elections were held on 24 October 2020 to elect the councils of 76 of the 79 local government areas in Victoria, Australia. [1]

Contents

Three councils did not hold elections − South Gippsland (dismissed in June 2019), Casey (dismissed in February 2020) and Whittlesea (dimissed in March 2020). An election for South Gippsland was held in October 2021, while Casey and Whittlesea will not have their elections until 2024. [2]

Background

The elections were held amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia, with Melbourne still in lockdown at the time of the elections. [3] A survey conducted in April 2020 showed that a significant majority of councils wanted the elections postponed for a year. [4] However, Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced on 19 August that the elections would go ahead as scheduled. [5]

Eight councils changed their electoral structure ahead of the election, moving to single-member wards as a result of the Local Government Act 2020: [6]

Additionally, Swan Hill and Mansfield moved to an unsubdivided structure. [6]

Political parties

The Liberal Party does not endorse candidates for local elections in Victoria. Labor chose to endorse some candidates, and some local party branches also made their own endorsements. [7] [8] Australian Progressives co-founder Peter Wingate contested Yarraville Ward in Maribyrnong as the party's first ever local elections candidate. [9]

Labor endorsed a total of 35 candidates in the following LGAs: [10] [11]

Additionally, the Labor Members for Darebin group endorsed 10 candidates (later disendorsing one). The ALP distanced themselves from the group, saying they did not endorse any candidates in Darebin. [12]

Six other VEC-registered parties endorsed candidates:

Party changes before elections

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2020 elections.

CouncilWardCouncillorFormer partyNew partyDate
Greater Dandenong Silverleaf Maria Sampey  Independent Labor   Labor 2017
Yarra Langridge Stephen Jolly   The Socialists   Independent Socialist November 2017
Monash Glen Waverley Lynette Saloumi  Independent   Sustainable Australia 2018
Maribyrnong Stony Creek Catherine Cumming   Independent   Justice 2 February 2018
Yarra Langridge Stephen Jolly   Independent Socialist   Victorian Socialists 5 February 2018
Moreland North-West Oscar Yildiz  Labor   Independent 7 June 2018
Glenelg UnsubdividedAnita Rank  Independent Liberal   Independent National 8 June 2018
Darebin Rucker Kim Le Cerf  Greens   Independent 28 December 2018
Moyne UnsubdividedJim Doukas  Country   Independent Late 2018
Casey Four Oaks Rosalie Crestani  Rise Up Australia   Independent 26 June 2019
Yarra Langridge Stephen Jolly   Victorian Socialists   Independent Socialist 23 September 2019
Yarra Nicholls Bridgid O'Brien  Victorian Socialists   Independent Socialist 23 September 2019
Whittlesea North Emilia Sterjova  Labor   Independent 9 February 2020
Casey Springfield Sam Aziz  Liberal   Independent 16 February 2020

Results

PartyVotes %SwingSeatsChange
  Independents 445
  Labor 67
  Liberal 50
  Greens 39Increase2.svg 10
  Independent National 7
  Animal Justice 2Increase2.svg 2
  Liberal Democrats 2Increase2.svg 1
  Team Sally Capp 24,3952Increase2.svg 2
  Team Arron Wood 12,1871Increase2.svg 1
  Banyule Ratepayers Action Group 11,2300Steady2.svg
  Ratepayers of Port Phillip 8,7612Increase2.svg 2
  Independent Socialist 7,3802Increase2.svg 2
  Bring Back Melbourne 6,6831Increase2.svg 1
  Back To Business 6,5721Increase2.svg 1
  Sue Bolton Moreland Team 5,0621Steady2.svg
  Save The Planet 2,9340Steady2.svg
  Richmond First 1,8970Steady2.svg
  Morgan-Watts Team 1,5410Decrease2.svg 1
  Australia First 1,3910Steady2.svg
  Residents First 1,1100Steady2.svg
  Innovate Melbourne 8170Steady2.svg
  Sustainable Australia 8100Steady2.svg
  Team Hakim 3791Increase2.svg 1
  Melbourne - We All Matter 3740Steady2.svg
  Independent Local Voice 3510Steady2.svg
  Your Melbourne Team Get It Done 2910Steady2.svg
  It Will Be Okay Melbourne 2030Steady2.svg
 United People's Party790Steady2.svg
  Put Climate First 1Increase2.svg 1
  Independent Labor 1
  Socialist Alliance 0
  Victorian Socialists 1Increase2.svg 1
  Reason 0Steady2.svg

Council control

PartyCouncils
NumberChange
  Independent 66
  No overall control 7
  Burwood Liberals 1
  Dandenong Labor 1
  Greens 1 Increase2.svg 1

Aftermath

Yarra City Council was described Australia's "most left-wing local government" with The Greens receiving a majority and two independent socialists, including Stephen Jolly, elected. [13] However, Gabrielle de Vietri resigned after winning the seat of Richmond and was replaced via countback by independent Michael Glynatsis, and Amanda Stone quit the party in February 2023. [14] [15]

In November 2021, Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz was part of the formation of the Victorians Party, a centrist political party which planned to contest the 2022 state election. [16] Along with Yildiz, fellow Moreland councillor Helen Pavlidis-Mihalakos and Melbourne councillor Philip Le Liu joined the party, giving it 3 local government seats. [17] The party disbanded in August 2022, citing financial difficulties. [18]

The United Australia Party gained Victorian local representation in Victoria in May 2022, when Swan Hill councillor Stuart King joined the party to contest Mallee at the federal election. [19]

The City of Moreland was renamed to Merri-bek in September 2022.

On 7 February 2023, Merri-bek councillor James Conlan resigned from The Greens in solidarity with senator Lidia Thorpe, who had also left the party the day before. [20]

Two minor parties, the Angry Victorians Party and Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews, gained councillors in 2023 via different countbacks. [21]

Electoral fraud allegations

In February 2022, Labor councillor Milad El-Halabi resigned after being charged with conspiracy to cheat and defraud for allegedly tampering with the council elections in Moreland. [22] He was replaced via countback in March 2022 by Socialist Alliance's Monica Harte. [23]

On 31 March 2023, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that El-Halabi was unduly elected. He has denied all allegations. [24]

By-elections and countbacks

The Victorian Electoral Commission has held a number of by-elections and countbacks to fill vacancies on councils since the 2020 elections. [25] [26]

By-elections

CouncilWardBeforeChangeAfter
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDateCouncillorPartyMore
Northern Grampians South West N/AN/ANo nominations at 2020 election14 October 20204 December 2020Trevor Gready Independent Full results
Hindmarsh East N/AN/AOnly 1 nomination for 2 vacancies at 2020 election21 October 202014 December 2020 Wendy Bywaters Independent Full results
Northern Grampians Kara Kara Karen Hyslop Independent Resignation14 October 20201 March 2021 Eddy Ostarcevic Independent Full results
Cardinia Westernport Ray Brown Independent Death19 March 202123 July 2021 Kaye Cameron Independent Full results
Yarra Ranges Streeton Cathrine Burnett-Wake Liberal Elected to Victorian Parliament29 November 202118 February 2022 Andrew Fullaga Independent Full results
Maroondah Wonga Nora Lamont Liberal Resignation7 December 202111 March 2022 Linda Hancock Independent Full results
Buloke Mallee Robert Priestly Independent Resignation1 July 202228 October 2022 Bernadette Hogan Ind. National Full results
Northern Grampians Kara Kara Tony Driscoll Independent Death1 August 202214 November 2022 Karen Hyslop Independent Full results
Mornington Peninsula Watson Paul Mercurio Independent Labor Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 20226 February 2023 Kate Roper Independent Full results
Maroondah Barngeong Marijke Graham Independent Resignation8 September 202311 December 2023 Chris Jones Independent Full results
Greater Dandenong Yarraman Eden Foster Labor Elected to Victorian Parliament 18 November 20239 March 2024TBA Full results

Countbacks

CouncilWardBeforeChangeAfter
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDateCouncillorParty
Moira UnsubdividedAndrew Goldman  Independent Death3 December 202011 January 2021Ed Cox  Independent
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Hugh Fraser  Independent Resignation9 March 202115 April 2021Susan Bissinger  Independent
Wellington Northern Malcolm Hole  Independent Death10 April 202118 May 2021Carmel Ripper  Independent
Baw Baw West Ben Lucas  Independent Liberal Resignation18 June 202129 June 2021Keith Cook  Independent
Strathbogie Lake Nagambie Melanie Likos  Independent Resignation16 August 202116 September 2021David Andrews  Independent
Moira UnsubdividedKevin Bourke  Independent Resignation24 November 202115 December 2021Judy Heather  Independent
Moira UnsubdividedMarie Martin  Independent Resignation7 December 202121 January 2022John Beitzel  Independent
Alpine UnsubdividedCharlie Vincent  Animal Justice Resignation23 December 202120 January 2022Simon Kelley  Independent
Mitchell South Christine Banks  Independent Resignation9 February 202211 March 2022David Lowe  Independent
Moreland North-West Milad El-Halabi   Independent Labor Resignation10 February 202223 March 2022Monica Harte  Socialist Alliance
Indigo UnsubdividedJenny O'Connor  Independent Resignation21 February 202211 March 2022Emmerick Teissl  Independent
Queenscliffe UnsubdividedSusan Salter  Independent Labor Death16 March 202213 April 2022Isabelle Tolhurst  Independent
Mildura UnsubdividedCyndi Power  Independent Resignation25 March 202221 April 2022Troy Bailey  Independent
Wodonga UnsubdividedKat Bennett  Independent Resignation4 April 202227 April 2022Danny Lowe  Independent
Glen Eira Rosstown Neil Pilling  Independent Resignation11 April 202228 April 2022 Sue Pennicuik   Greens
Greater Shepparton UnsubdividedRobert Priestly  Independent Resignation15 June 20227 July 2022Dinny Adem  Independent
Horsham UnsubdividedDi Bell  Independent Resignation12 August 20227 September 2022Robert Redden  Liberal
Wodonga UnsubdividedJohn Watson  Independent Resignation following cancer diagnosis8 November 20226 December 2022Danny Chamberlain  Independent Liberal
Moira UnsubdividedJohn Beitzel  Independent Resignation17 November 20226 December 2022Scott Olson  Independent
Moira UnsubdividedLibro Mustica  Independent Resignation17 November 202212 December 2022Wendy Buck  Independent
Yarra Langridge Gabrielle de Vietri   Greens Elected to Victorian Parliament 9 December 202219 January 2023Michael Glynatsis  Independent
Swan Hill Unsubdivided Jade Benham   Independent National Elected to Victorian Parliament 13 December 202217 January 2023Jacquie Kelly  Independent
Brimbank Harvester Trung Luu   Liberal Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 202224 January 2023Thomas O'Reilly  Independent
Colac Otway Unsubdivided Joe McCracken   Liberal Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 202218 January 2023Tosh-Jake Finnigan  Sack Dan Andrews
Greater Geelong Brownbill Sarah Mansfield   Greens Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 202223 January 2023Melissa Cadwell  Independent Labor
Melton Watts Moira Deeming   Liberal Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 202223 January 2023Justine Farrugia  Independent
Port Phillip Lake Katherine Copsey   Greens Elected to Victorian Parliament 21 December 202217 January 2023Robbie Nyaguy  Labor
Mornington Peninsula Seawinds Kerri McCafferty  Independent Resignation21 December 20226 February 2023Simon Brooks  Independent
Stonnington East Alexander Lew  Liberal Resignation21 December 202219 January 2023Joe Gianfriddo  Angry Victorians
Colac Otway UnsubdividedJamie Bell  Independent Resignation7 February 20231 March 2023Max Arnott  Independent
Southern Grampians UnsubdividedGreg McAdam  Independent Resignation13 April 202317 May 2023Fran Malone  Independent
Baw Baw Central Joe Gauci  Independent Resignation27 April 202317 May 2023Farhat Firdous  Independent
Queenscliffe UnsubdividedFleur Hewitt  Independent Resignation29 May 202319 June 2023Robert Minty  Independent
Greater Geelong Windermere Kylie Grzybek  Independent Resignation29 May 202328 June 2023Sarah Hathway  Socialist Alliance
Strathbogie Lake Nagambie David Andrews  Independent Resignation27 June 202317 July 2023Robin Weatherald  United Australia
Glenelg UnsubdividedAnita Rank  Independent National Resignation30 June 20237 August 2023John Northcott  Independent
Indigo UnsubdividedLarry Goldsworthy  Independent Resignation3 July 20239 August 2023Sue Gold  Independent
Greater Geelong Bellarine Stephanie Asher  Independent Liberal Resignation31 July 202331 August 2023Elise Wilkinson  Put Climate First
Bass Coast Western Port Bruce Kent  Independent Liberal Resignation7 August 202311 August 2023Geoff Ellis  Independent Labor
Glenelg UnsubdividedJayden Smith  Independent Resignation19 October 202320 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
Glenelg UnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback20 November 202322 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
Glenelg UnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback22 November 202327 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
Glen Eira Camden David Zyngier  Greens Death26 November 20238 January 2024Jane Karslake  Independent Labor
Glenelg UnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback27 November 20235 December 2023Robyn McDonald  Independent
Frankston North-West Steven Hughes  Independent Resignation11 December 202315 January 2024Glenn Aitken  Independent

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References

  1. ↑ "2020 council election results". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Casey City Council". Victorian Electoral Commission.
  3. ↑ "Covid: Melbourne's hard-won success after a marathon lockdown". BBC News.
  4. ↑ "Councils want local elections put on ice, say 'pros outweigh the cons'". The Age.
  5. ↑ "Local Government Elections To Go Ahead In October". Premier of Victoria.
  6. 1 2 "Electoral structure changes for 2020". Department of Government Services.
  7. ↑ "Boroondara City Council". Burwood Liberals. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Mahoney, Gavin. "2020 Victorian Local Government Election Results and Analysis" (PDF). Spence Consulting Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Wingate, Peter. "Vote for Me... I Hate Politicians!". The Westsider.
  10. ↑ "Labor Party to endorse Ballarat council candidates". The Courier.
  11. ↑ "Wodonga Council Election Campaign Donation Returns Disclosure" (PDF). City of Wodonga.
  12. ↑ Booker, Chloe. "Labor distances itself from 'Islamophobic' Darebin council candidate". The Age.
  13. ↑ "Australia's first Greens-dominated council elected in Yarra". The Age.
  14. ↑ "New councillor for Yarra City Council". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  15. ↑ Royall, Ian. "Yarra Council former mayor Amanda Stone quits the Greens party". Herald Sun.
  16. ↑ Deery, Shannon. "New political party to challenge Labor and Coalition in 2022 Victorian election". Herald Sun.
  17. ↑ Rooney, Kieran. "Victorians Party announce first batch of candidates to take on major parties". Herald Sun.
  18. ↑ "Victorians Party announce abrupt exit from state election race, citing finance difficulties". Herald Sun.
  19. ↑ "Swan Hill councillor Stuart King is Palmer's man for Mallee".
  20. ↑ Waters, Cara. "Merri-bek councillor resigns from Greens in solidarity with Lidia Thorpe". The Age.
  21. ↑ Perry, Maggie. "Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party founder becomes Victoria's first openly trans councillor". 6 News Australia.
  22. ↑ "Councillor resigns following electoral fraud charges as VCAT mulls fresh election". The Age.
  23. ↑ "Second socialist elected in Moreland, after Labor property developer steps down". Green Left.
  24. ↑ Morgan, Cassandra. "Votes tampered with in Melbourne council poll: tribunal". The West Australian.
  25. ↑ "Media releases". Victorian Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2023-06-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ↑ "Countbacks & By-Elections (Vic)". Local Government News Roundup.
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