By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A STATED independent local election candidate has slammed the use of preference deals – and apparent dummy candidates – despite a ban on how-to-vote cards in Casey council elections.
Many candidates have advised voters to preference other candidates – in de facto how-to-vote card fashion – in the text of their election statements.
These statements will be mailed out with ballot papers to voters from 4 October.
Sitting and former councillors are the chief beneficiaries of the preference deals, with many stated independents unallied in such a manner.
An exasperated James Williams, standing as an independent without preferences in Edrington Ward, said the dummy-candidate practice was a “devious act”.
“They are effectively saying they cannot win on their own merits, therefore they need someone to put them second so they get that vote as well.
“If the person is willing to attempt to deceive constituents to get votes, then what are they prepared to do once they are voted in.
“The question has to be asked what the people who are dummies are getting out of it? It shows very poor judgment and a complete lack of integrity.”
On the face of it, some ward ballot papers are dominated by dummy candidates – people standing with no intention to represent ratepayers but just to garner and pass on votes to a contender.
Most of these suspects have failed to return Star News election surveys, though some were unable to be contacted due to not providing an email address to the Victorian Electoral Commission.
In Balla Balla Ward, three of the five candidates direct preferences to sitting councillor Geoff Ablett.
None of the three provided email contact information to the VEC.
The remaining candidate Tom Rennick, endorsed by Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA), does not state preferences.
Edrington Ward councillors and Liberal members Susan Serey and Mick Morland preference one another – and benefit from preferences from three others.
Timothy Jackson, who states he is independent, is preferenced by one candidate.
Four Oaks councillor Rafal Kaplon exchanges preferences with councillor Rosalie Crestani, and receives preferences from four other candidates.
He is seemingly not as popular as former mayor Shar Balmes, who is re-contesting Four Oaks and attracted six candidates’ preferences.
One of Cr Kaplon’s supporters didn’t provide any contact details to the VEC, and one of Ms Balmes’s allies didn’t provide an email address.
In Mayfield, sitting councillor Amanda Stapledon and Neighbourhood Watch Casey head Rob Ward have preferenced one another. They are also preferenced by another six candidates.
Liberal councillor Garry Rowe has one such ally candidate.
River Gum ward councillors Damien Rosario and Wayne Smith (ALP) combine for seven stated supporting candidates – though not sharing all of them in common.
Mayor Sam Aziz said his seven supporting Springfield ward candidates, including sitting councillor Louise Berkelmans, were all worthy candidates in their own right.
“Each of those would make an amazing councillor.”
CRRA president Rex Flannery and former councillor Paul Richardson have swapped preferences, with Mr Flannery also gaining support from three others.
