Election in the balance

5/11/2024

Returning councillors: Brett Tessari, Ron Bauer and Rochelle Halstead

By Catherine Watson

THREE sitting councillors have won re-election in the Bass Coast Council election, one has been dumped and the fate of two hangs in the balance.

Brett Tessari (Bunurong Ward), Ron Bauer (Island Ward) and Rochelle Halstead (Western Port Ward) were all re-elected on their primary vote.

The distribution of preferences will determine the fate of all the other candidates. While most candidates indicated their preferences, scrutineers told the Post there didn’t seem much rhyme or reason to the voting.

The primary count

Departing ... Les Larke

“It looked as though they picked their numbers 1 and 2, and after that they didn’t pay much attention,” one said.

All will be revealed at 5.30pm on Thursday when the Bass Coast election manager spins the wheel in old Wonthaggi Post Office to distribute the preferences.

In Bunurong Les Larke has failed to secure a third council term, securing just 450 votes. His former colleague Leticia Laing is currently in third spot, 163 votes behind Greens candidate Mat Morgan and 261 votes ahead of Meg Edwards.

Ron Bauer secured a third of the vote in Island Ward, while his colleague David Rooks currently sits in fourth spot. Tim O’Brien is in second place but this one is particularly difficult to call with five of the seven candidates within a couple of hundred votes.

Rochelle Halstead also secured a third of the vote in Western Port Ward. Jon Temby currently sits in third spot, 152 votes ahead of Jan Thompson. Nikole Schellekens is also within striking distance.

3 Comments

F W Schooneveldt

6/11/2024 10:25:01 am

Thank you Catherine for the update.
I am very disappointed in the VEC in that it’s now 6th November and we still don’t have a result. It’s totally unfair for the candidates.
In Bunurong Ward 61.43% of the electors have been counted, in Island Ward 46.88% of electors have been counted and in Western Port Ward 60.70% of electors votes have been counted.
Where are the voters?
Cheers

Catherine Watson, Editor

6/11/2024 11:40:02 am

Hi Frank
The count of primary votes has been completed, apart from a few late postal votes (posted by the due date of October 25 but taking their time to reach the electoral office in Wonthaggi).
Voter numbers are substantially lower in Bass Coast this year because non-resident ratepayers are no longer automatically enrolled. They can vote but only if they register.
The VEC has reported that statewide only about 10 per cent of non-resident voters have done so.

F W Schooneveldt

6/11/2024 12:19:10 pm

Thanks Catherine.
In my view compulsory voting should be applied to all rate payers.

​Election in the balance