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The 11 August CoRBA Submission to the Finance and Governance Committee makes it clear that members of CoRBA- Melbourne unanimously support the Motion on Electoral Review and seek the support of our Council on this important matter. 

Read the first Motion and the second Motion befere the Finance and Governance Committee August 11, 2009. The Motion calling for a return to Attendance voting was defeated. The Motion calling for a report to be made to Council my Oct 13  on the matter was carried. This  will come before  Council on August 5. And see here for  the referred Motion from the Finance and Governance meeting.

The Story So Far:

The Council under John So repeatedly rejected calls for a review of the Council structure and its electoral processes. This disregard for due process, and blatant dismissal of sustained evidence of constituent concern, is why business groups and Residents Associations joined forces.

CoRBA believes that by collaborating we can more effectively work towards achieving the necessary electoral and structural reform our City deserves and have urged the new Lord Mayor to act. You can read the CoRBA request for immediate action here.

The newly elected councillors have honored election promises and at their first meeting, unanimously voted to call upon the Minister to initiate a review. A copy of the resolution and the Lord Mayors letter to Minister Wynne can be viewed here.

CoRBA has written to the Minister to request a meeting so that we may understand his views on the terms of reference for this review, on the mechanism for community in-put, on ways to improve voter participation and, most importantly, the time frame he plans to adopt in conducting the review.

Download the full  Election Report on the November 2008 Melbourne City Council elections prepared by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). Presented to Council by CEO Dr Kathy Alexander on 31 March 2009.

The City of Melbourne Finance and Government Committee met on Tuesday April 14th, at which time CoRBA made a submission requesting the COM to convene a forum where the constituency be part of a consultative process on this VEC Report, the widely-supported call for a review of the COM structure and electoral processes, and appropriate legislation.  

Click here to read the Points addressed to Council by the MBC supporting a change to attendance polling.

Southbank Residents Group also made a submission to the Council in support of the changes.

Minister Wynne has acknowledged  the letter from CoRBA dated 11 February. He notes the views of CoRBA and states he is currently considering the Melbourne City Council’s request. Read the letter here.

CoRBA responded to Minister Wynne, once again requesting a meeting. Click here to read the letter.

On July 21, CoRBA-Melbourne distributed a document outlining the Seven Arguments supporting a review of the Voting Syatem in the City of Melbourne

The 11 August CoRBA Submission to the Finance and Governance Committee makes it clear that members of  CoRBA- Melbourne unanimously support the Motion on Electoral Review and seek the support of our Council on this important matter. 

Read the first Motion and the second Motion befere the Finance and Governance Committee August 11, 2009. The Motion calling for a return to Attendance voting was defeated. The Motion calling for a report to be made to Council my Oct 13  on the matter was carried. This  will come before  Council on August 5. And see here for  the referred Motion from the Finance and Governance meeting.