Intro
Local Government Minister David Michael said, by standing for local council, candidates will make a valuable contribution to local democracy by putting forward policies and highlighting issues they believe are important to them and their community.
A promotional campaign by the State Government, in partnership with the WA Local Government Association, will aim to promote diversity in local government representation with the hope it will result in greater involvement of a wider range of candidates from Aboriginal and multicultural backgrounds, as well as young people and people with disability.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has also teamed up with the Youth Affairs Council of WA to conduct a campaign specifically targeting the 18 to 24 age group to boost the interest of young people in getting involved in local government.
To provide incentives for people to nominate, the local government reform package includes measures to support a diverse range of people who serve on councils, such as new parental leave entitlements, and changes to enable local governments to pay superannuation and educational allowances to council members.
Nominations for the local government elections to be held on 21 October will open on 31 August and close on 7 September 2023.
Nominating to be a council member