Becoming an elected member

Council members play an important community leadership role and being on a Council is one way you can ensure community perspectives are heard and considered in local decision-making.

Improving your community starts with local government. If you want to make a difference to your local facilities and services, consider becoming a candidate.

Any eligible elector in the Shire of Ashburton (who is 18 years of age or older and who is not disqualified) can stand as a candidate in Shire of Ashburton local government elections. Please note, nominees of a body corporate cannot stand for election.

For more information on the role of elected members please visit the Department of Local Government's website.

Candidate information webinar 

2023 Local Government Elections - Candidate Information Webinar

WALGA together with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and the WA Electoral Commission have hosted an Election Candidate Information Briefing webinar, to inform prospective candidates about the election process, the roles and responsibilities of Local Government, Elected Members and the Council, together with the role of the DLGSC as the regulator of Local Government in WA.

How to nominate

Before commencing the formal nomination process with the Returning Officer for an election, candidates must complete a compulsory online induction. This induction covers the following topics:

  • About government in Australia
  • Local government in WA
  • Local government decision-making
  • The role of council members
  • Community, council members and local government employees
  • Types of decisions by council members
  • Qualities and skills of effective council members
  • Code of Conduct
  • Gifts and conflicts of interest
  • Local elections
  • Election campaigns
  • Declaration and remuneration
  • Why stand for council?
  • What should you do now?
  • Support and information available

The compulsory online induction can be accessed below:

Candidate Induction and message from the Minister for Local Government

Nominations to be an election candidate can only be submitted to the Returning Officer once the nomination period for an election opens. For the 2023 Shire of Ashburton Ordinary Local Government Election, nominations open on Thursday 31 August 2023. The nomination period closes at 4pm on Thursday 7 September 2023.

A valid nomination consists of the following:

  • a completed nomination form - it is recommended that candidates use the online Nomination Builder to complete their nomination form and construct their candidate profile
  • a candidate profile (1000 characters maximum) which must:
    • be in English
    • confined to biographical information about the candidate, and statements about the candidate's policies or beliefs
    • not contain false, defamatory or misleading information
    • fit on an A4 page;
    • include the candidate's full name and contact information
    • a photograph, no larger than passport sized and taken in the last six months (optional).
  • a deposit of $100 is required to be paid. Cash required.

    Candidates may also provide a written statement in English, of up to 2,000 characters (including spaces) with their nomination paper (optional). All nomination applications must be signed by the candidate in front of a witness.

    Returning Officer

    The Returning Officer for this Shire of Ashburton election, appointed by the Western Australian Electoral Commission is Mr Gary Waldron. Candidates intending to nominate must contact the Returning Officer to schedule an in-person meeting. The Returning Officers availability for nominations is as follows:  

    Date

    Election Event

    Location for Nomination Appointments

    Thursday 31 August 2023 Nominations Open

    Candidate nominations

    Shire of Ashburton Administration Office, Poinciana Street, Tom Price

    Friday 1 September 2023

    Saturday 1 September 2023

    Candidate nominations

    Ashburton Hall, Ashburton Avenue, Paraburdoo

    Sunday 3 September 2023

    Candidate nominations, subject to the Returning Officers location and availability. By confirmed arrangement only

    Monday 4 September 2023

    Candidate nominations

    Shire of Ashburton Administration Office, Second Avenue, Onslow

    Tuesday 5 September 2023

    Wednesday 6 September 2023

    Candidate nominations, subject to the Returning Officers location and availability. By confirmed arrangement only

    Thursday 7 September 2023 Nominations Close (4pm)

    Candidate nominations

    Shire of Ashburton Administration Office, Poinciana Street, Tom Price

    Candidates are reminded that before nominating, the online mandatory induction  must be completed. An online nomination builder is also available to assist candidates prepare, before arranging a meeting with the Returning Officer. 

    Returning Officers Contact Information

    Email: [email protected]

    Telephone:0448 520 519 

    Electoral gifts

    Candidates in local government elections must be aware of their legislative obligations in relation to the disclosure of gifts leading up to the local government elections. Part 5A of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997 requires both candidates and donors to disclose information about any electoral related gift with a value of $300 or more that was given or promised during the disclosure period (being six months before election day). A "gift" means a disposition of property, or the conferral of any financial benefit, made by one person in favour of another and it can include:

    • a gift of money
    • a gift which is non-monetary but of value
    • a gift in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or the discount is worth more than $200)
    • a financial or other contribution to travel
    • the provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration
    • a firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.

    It is important to note that a gift could be one or more gifts from the same donor that has a combined value of $300 or more.

    A "gift" does not include a gift by will; a gift from a relative; a gift that does not relate to the candidate's candidature; or the provision of volunteer labour.

    Candidates may opt to receive donations via a crowdfunding platform. The same rules apply to crowdfunding as with any other electoral gift. Candidates must bear in mind that receiving donations from anonymous donors is not permitted. If candidates choose to set up a donation page, they must clearly inform potential donors of the disclosure conditions - that a name and address is provided by each donor. 

    Disclosure of electoral gifts

    Both candidates and donors are required to disclose information about any electoral related gift with a value of $300 or more that is given or promised within the disclosure period. It is essential that candidates are aware of the legislative requirements. 

    Within three days of nomination, any candidate in a local government election is required to disclose any gifts received within the disclosure period prior to nomination. The disclosure period commences six months prior to Election Day.  The disclosure period concludes 3 days after election day for unsuccessful candidates or for successful candidates on the start day for financial interest returns.

    All disclosures are to be made on a LG09A Disclosure of Gifts form and delivered to the Shire of Ashburton Chief Executive Officer within three days of receiving the gift, once your candidate nomination has been made to the Returning Officer.

    Donors will also need to disclose any gifts made within the relevant period. Information to be supplied includes the name of the candidate, the name and address of the donor, the date the gift was promised and received, the value of the gift and a description of the gift.

    Council Policies and Codes

    It is important that candidates be aware of the general principles and broad expectations of the Shire of Ashburton's Code of Conduct for Council Members and Committee Members and Candidates and have an understanding of Council's Policy in relation to election signage.

    Both these documents can be found here: Council Policies and Code of Conduct

    More information

    Please refer to: