Why is this meeting being held?

Upon receiving a request of not less than 100 electors required by section 5.28 of the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act), an Electors’ Special Meeting is required to be held.

What is the purpose of the meeting?

The purpose of the meeting provided by the electors requesting the meeting is:

1. the effect of mandatory vaccination on electors, ratepayers, residents and businesses in the district;
2. the effect of mandatory vaccination on the local government’s affairs and the performance of the local government’s functions; and
3. motions to be voted on for an advocacy position against mandatory vaccination for the Council to consider adopting to provide leadership and guidance to the community in the district.

How many people can attend?

As Western Australian has entered stage two public health restrictions, the capacity of the building will be 100 people in keeping with the 2m² meeting rule used for similar buildings and events. 

Why isn’t the meeting being held on an oval where more people could attend?

This option was explored but making suitable arrangements would be costly. In addition, some of the ovals which have the required lighting are already in use for other events and community sport. 

Why wasn’t the meeting held in a larger indoor facility?

This option was explored but other facilities are restricted by the COVID Transition (Level 2 Public Health and Social Measures) Directions and/or require proof of vaccination or are otherwise being used for other events and community sport.

If I can’t attend, how can I have my say?

No venue could accommodate every elector in the district.  Electors who are unable to attend and wish to have their say on the matters being are encouraged to exercise their democratic freedoms by writing to their State Government elected representatives.

Can I register to attend?

No, the Shire is not taking registrations or tickets to attend.

Will proof of vaccination be required to attend?

No.

Will masks be required to be worn?

Yes, in accordance with legislation.

Will attendees be required to check-in using SAFE WA or paper based form?

Yes, in accordance with legislation.

Do you need to be an elector in the district to vote?

Yes, in accordance with legislation. Attendees will be asked to confirm that they are eligible to vote in accordance with legislation to be provided a voting card which will be used during the meeting.

Do you need to be an elector in the district to speak at the meeting?

No, but in accordance with legislation only electors are permitted to vote.

Is there an Agenda for the meeting?

Yes, an Agenda was published on the Shire’s website on 2 March 2022 and is available here.

How is an Special Meeting of Electors requested?

Under section 5.27 of the Local Government Act 1995, electors or Council can make a request to the President to hold a Special Meeting of Electors.

Upon confirmation of the request by the President, the CEO will convene a Special Meeting of Electors by giving 14 days public notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the meeting.

The Special Meeting of Electors will take place not more than 35 days after the request for the meeting was received by the President.

Who runs the meeting?

The Presiding Member for a Special Meeting of Electors is the Shire President, or if the President is unavailable, the Deputy President may be delegated this responsibility.

If the Deputy President is also unavailable to preside, the Electors present at the meeting choose a Councillor to preside. If the Councillor nominated is unable or unwilling to preside, the Electors may choose someone else to preside.

What can I do at a Special Meeting of Electors?

The meeting agenda provides for public question and public statement time. Information about public participation is available here.

If you are an elector and have registered to vote at the Special Meeting of Electors you are attending, you can move what’s called a ‘motion’ at the meeting and you can vote on your or anyone else’s motion.

Moving a ‘motion’ means you are asking the Council to undertake some kind of action, for example, to adopt a report, to undertake works, to stop works and so on.

The Presiding member will call for a seconder. If you receive a ‘seconder’ for your motion, or in other words, the support of another person for your motion, the Presiding Member of the Special Meeting of Electors will ask those in attendance if anyone would like to debate the motion and then, votes for or against on the motion will be taken

I’m registered, how do I vote at an Electors’ Special Meeting?

Voting at an Electors’ Special Meeting is by a simple show of hands. You will be asked to raise your voting slip you are ‘for’ a motion being passed, or if you are ‘against’ a motion being passed.

Shire staff will count all votes when the vote is called, so please ensure you keep your voting slip raised until your vote has been counted.

You do not have to vote on any motion if you do not wish to do so.

I can’t make the meeting, can someone else vote for me or can I post my vote in?

No. You must be in attendance at an Special Meeting of Electors to be able to have your vote counted. 

What is the process at an Electors’ Special Meeting?

The Presiding Member is responsible for deciding how the meeting will be run, however, as a general guide, the Presiding Member will:

1. open the meeting and allow time for any final registrations to vote;
2. advise all in attendance of the purpose of the meeting;
3. facilitate debate, if any, on any motion; and
4. seek a show of hands for those in favour or against any motion.

What happens with motions passed at an Electors’ Special Meeting?

All decisions made at Electors’ Meetings are brought before the Council for consideration either at the next Ordinary Council Meeting, or if that’s not possible, the subsequent Council meeting. Otherwise, the Council can call a Special Council Meeting for this purpose.

For a decision made at an Electors’ Meeting to become a decision of the Council, the Council must agree to it.

If Council makes a decision in response to a decision made at an Electors’ Meeting, the reasons for the decision are recorded in the minutes of the Council meeting.

Will I be able to get a copy of the minutes of the Electors’ Special Meeting?

Yes. The Shire takes minutes of the proceedings of all Electors’ Meetings These are published and made publicly available.Accordion Item Header 11