2020 Victorian local elections explained

Country:Victoria
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Election Date:24 October 2020
Previous Election:2016 Victorian local elections
Previous Year:2016
Next Election:2024 Victorian local elections
Next Year:2024
Leader1:N/A
Party1:Independents
Seats1:445
Leader2:N/A
Party2:Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)
Seats2:67
Leader3:N/A
Party3:Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
Seats3:50
Leader4:N/A
Party4:Greens
Last Election4:29 seats
Seats Before4:28
Seats4:36[1]
Seat Change4: 10
Leader5:No leader
Party5:Animal Justice
Last Election5:0
Seats Before5:0
Seats5:2
Seat Change5: 2
Leader6:No leader
Party6:Liberal Democratic Party (Australia)
Last Election6:1
Seats Before6:0
Seats6:2
Seat Change6: 2
Leader7:No leader
Party7:Put Climate First
Last Election7:Did not exist
Seats Before7:0
Seats7:1
Color7:6E1D56
Seat Change7: 1
Leader8:No leader
Party8:Victorian Socialists
Last Election8:Did not exist
Seats Before8:0
Seats8:1
Seat Change8: 1
Leader9:William Bourke
Party9:Sustainable
Color9:028752
Last Election9:0 seats
Seats Before9:1
Seats9:0
Seat Change9: 1

The 2020 Victorian local elections were held on 24 October 2020 to elect the councils of 76 of the 79 local government areas in Victoria, Australia.[2]

Three councils did not hold elections − South Gippsland (dismissed in June 2019), Casey (dismissed in February 2020) and Whittlesea (dismissed in March 2020). An election for South Gippsland was held in October 2021, while Casey and Whittlesea will not have their elections until 2024.[3]

Background

The elections were held amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia, with Melbourne still in lockdown at the time of the elections.[4] A survey conducted in April 2020 showed that a significant majority of councils wanted the elections postponed for a year.[5] However, Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced on 19 August that the elections would go ahead as scheduled.[6]

Eight councils changed their electoral structure ahead of the election, moving to single-member wards as a result of the Local Government Act 2020:[7]

Additionally, Swan Hill and Mansfield moved to an unsubdivided structure.[7]

Political parties

The Liberal Party does not endorse candidates for local elections in Victoria. Labor chose to endorse some candidates, and some local party branches also made their own endorsements.[8] [9] Australian Progressives co-founder Peter Wingate contested Yarraville Ward in Maribyrnong as the party's first ever local elections candidate.[10]

Labor endorsed a total of 35 candidates in the following LGAs:[11] [12]

Additionally, the Labor Members for Darebin group endorsed 10 candidates (later disendorsing one). The ALP distanced themselves from the group, saying they did not endorse any candidates in Darebin.[13]

Six other VEC-registered parties endorsed candidates:

Party changes before elections

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2020 elections.

Council Ward Councillor Former party New party Date
Greater DandenongSilverleafMaria Sampey Independent Labor Labor2017
YarraLangridgeStephen Jolly The Socialists Independent SocialistNovember 2017
MonashGlen WaverleyLynette Saloumi Independent Sustainable Australia2018
MaribyrnongStony CreekCatherine Cumming Independent Justice2 February 2018
YarraLangridgeStephen Jolly Independent Socialist Victorian Socialists5 February 2018
MorelandNorth-WestOscar Yildiz Labor Independent7 June 2018
GlenelgUnsubdividedAnita Rank Independent Liberal Independent National8 June 2018
DarebinRuckerKim Le Cerf Greens Independent28 December 2018
MoyneUnsubdividedJim Doukas Country IndependentLate 2018
CaseyFour OaksRosalie Crestani Rise Up Australia Independent26 June 2019
YarraLangridgeStephen Jolly Victorian Socialists Independent Socialist23 September 2019
YarraNichollsBridgid O'Brien Victorian Socialists Independent Socialist23 September 2019
WhittleseaNorthEmilia Sterjova Labor Independent9 February 2020
CaseySpringfieldSam Aziz Liberal Independent16 February 2020

Results

See main article: Results of the 2020 Victorian local elections.

PartyVotes%SwingSeatsChange
 Independents445
 Labor67
 Liberal50
 Greens39 10
 Independent National7
 Animal Justice2 2
 Liberal Democrats2 1
 Team Sally Capp24,3952 2
 Team Arron Wood12,1871 1
 Banyule Ratepayers Action Group11,2300
 Ratepayers of Port Phillip8,7612 2
 Independent Socialist7,3802 2
 Bring Back Melbourne6,6831 1
 Back To Business6,5721 1
 Sue Bolton Moreland Team5,0621
 Save The Planet2,9340
 Richmond First1,8970
 Morgan-Watts Team1,5410 1
 Australia First1,3910
 Residents First1,1100
 Innovate Melbourne8170
 Sustainable Australia8100
 Team Hakim3791 1
 Melbourne - We All Matter3740
 Independent Local Voice3510
 Your Melbourne Team Get It Done2910
 It Will Be Okay Melbourne2030
 United People's Party790
 Put Climate First1 1
 Independent Labor1
 Socialist Alliance0
 Victorian Socialists1 1
 Reason0

Council control

PartyCouncils
NumberChange
 Independent66
 No overall control7
 Burwood Liberals1
 Dandenong Labor1
 Greens1 1

Aftermath

Yarra City Council was described Australia's "most left-wing local government" with The Greens receiving a majority and two independent socialists, including Stephen Jolly, elected.[14] However, Gabrielle de Vietri resigned after winning the seat of Richmond and was replaced via countback by independent Michael Glynatsis, ending the Greens majority.[15] [16]

In November 2021, Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz was part of the formation of the Victorians Party, a centrist political party which planned to contest the 2022 state election.[17] Along with Yildiz, fellow Moreland councillor Helen Pavlidis-Mihalakos and Melbourne councillor Philip Le Liu joined the party, giving it 3 local government seats.[18] The party disbanded in August 2022, citing financial difficulties.[19]

The United Australia Party gained Victorian local representation in Victoria in May 2022, when Swan Hill councillor Stuart King joined the party to contest Mallee at the federal election.[20]

The City of Moreland was renamed to Merri-bek in September 2022.

Two minor parties, the Angry Victorians Party and Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews, gained councillors in 2023 via different countbacks.[21]

Electoral fraud allegations

In February 2022, Labor councillor Milad El-Halabi resigned after being charged with conspiracy to cheat and defraud for allegedly tampering with the council elections in Moreland.[22] He was replaced via countback in March 2022 by Socialist Alliance's Monica Harte.[23]

On 31 March 2023, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that El-Halabi was unduly elected. He has denied all allegations.[24]

Greens resignations

The Greens had five of its councillors resign from the party since the 2020 elections, and a further four seats have been lost due to resignations and deaths.

James Conlan (Merri-bek) left the party in solidarity with senator Lidia Thorpe, Amanda Stone (Yarra) resigned in February 2023, and Anab Mohamud (Yarra) resigned in February 2024.[25]

In April 2024, both Greens councillors in Monash − Anjalee de Silva and Josh Fergeus − left the party.[26]

By-elections and countbacks

The Victorian Electoral Commission has held a number of by-elections and countbacks to fill vacancies on councils since the 2020 elections.[27] [28]

By-elections

CouncilWardBeforeChangeAfter
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDateCouncillorPartyMore
Northern GrampiansSouth WestN/AN/ANo nominations at 2020 election14 October 20204 December 2020Trevor GreadyIndependentFull results
HindmarshEastN/AN/AOnly 1 nomination for 2 vacancies at 2020 election21 October 202014 December 2020Wendy BywatersIndependentFull results
Northern GrampiansKara KaraKaren Hyslop IndependentResignation14 October 20201 March 2021Eddy OstarcevicIndependentFull results
CardiniaWesternportRay BrownIndependentDeath19 March 202123 July 2021Kaye CameronIndependentFull results
Yarra RangesStreetonCathrine Burnett-WakeLiberalElected to Victorian Parliament29 November 202118 February 2022Andrew FullagaIndependentFull results
MaroondahWongaNora LamontLiberalResignation7 December 202111 March 2022Linda HancockIndependentFull results
BulokeMalleeRobert PriestlyIndependentResignation1 July 202228 October 2022Bernadette HoganInd. NationalFull results
Northern GrampiansKara KaraTony DriscollIndependentDeath1 August 202214 November 2022Karen HyslopIndependentFull results
Mornington PeninsulaWatsonPaul MercurioIndependent LaborElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 20226 February 2023Kate RoperIndependentFull results
MaroondahBarngeongMarijke GrahamIndependentResignation8 September 202311 December 2023Chris JonesIndependentFull results
Greater DandenongYarramanEden FosterLaborElected to Victorian Parliament18 November 20239 March 2024TBATBAFull results

Countbacks

CouncilWardBeforeChangeAfter
CouncillorPartyCauseDateDateCouncillorParty
MoiraUnsubdividedAndrew Goldman IndependentDeath3 December 202011 January 2021Ed Cox Independent
Mornington PeninsulaNepeanHugh Fraser IndependentResignation9 March 202115 April 2021Susan Bissinger Independent
WellingtonNorthernMalcolm Hole IndependentDeath10 April 202118 May 2021Carmel Ripper Independent
Baw BawWestBen Lucas Independent LiberalResignation18 June 202129 June 2021Keith Cook Independent
StrathbogieLake NagambieMelanie Likos IndependentResignation16 August 202116 September 2021David Andrews Independent
MoiraUnsubdividedKevin Bourke IndependentResignation24 November 202115 December 2021Judy Heather Independent
MoiraUnsubdividedMarie Martin IndependentResignation7 December 202121 January 2022John Beitzel Independent
AlpineUnsubdividedCharlie Vincent Animal JusticeResignation23 December 202120 January 2022Simon Kelley Independent
MitchellSouthChristine Banks IndependentResignation9 February 202211 March 2022David Lowe Independent
MorelandNorth-WestMilad El-Halabi Independent LaborResignation10 February 202223 March 2022Monica Harte Socialist Alliance
IndigoUnsubdividedJenny O'Connor IndependentResignation21 February 202211 March 2022Emmerick Teissl Independent
QueenscliffeUnsubdividedSusan Salter Independent LaborDeath16 March 202213 April 2022Isabelle Tolhurst Independent
MilduraUnsubdividedCyndi Power IndependentResignation25 March 202221 April 2022Troy Bailey Independent
WodongaUnsubdividedKat Bennett IndependentResignation4 April 202227 April 2022Danny Lowe Independent
Glen EiraRosstownNeil Pilling IndependentResignation11 April 202228 April 2022Sue Pennicuik Greens
Greater SheppartonUnsubdividedRobert Priestly IndependentResignation15 June 20227 July 2022Dinny Adem Independent
HorshamUnsubdividedDi Bell IndependentResignation12 August 20227 September 2022Robert Redden Liberal
WodongaUnsubdividedJohn Watson IndependentResignation following cancer diagnosis8 November 20226 December 2022Danny Chamberlain Independent Liberal
MoiraUnsubdividedJohn Beitzel IndependentResignation17 November 20226 December 2022Scott Olson Independent
MoiraUnsubdividedLibro Mustica IndependentResignation17 November 202212 December 2022Wendy Buck Independent
YarraLangridgeGabrielle de Vietri GreensElected to Victorian Parliament9 December 202219 January 2023Michael Glynatsis Independent
Swan HillUnsubdividedJade Benham Independent NationalElected to Victorian Parliament13 December 202217 January 2023Jacquie Kelly Independent
BrimbankHarvesterTrung Luu LiberalElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 202224 January 2023Thomas O'Reilly Independent
Colac OtwayUnsubdividedJoe McCracken LiberalElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 202218 January 2023Tosh-Jake Finnigan Sack Dan Andrews
Greater GeelongBrownbillSarah Mansfield GreensElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 202223 January 2023Melissa Cadwell Independent Labor
MeltonWattsMoira Deeming LiberalElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 202223 January 2023Justine Farrugia Independent
Port PhillipLakeKatherine Copsey GreensElected to Victorian Parliament21 December 202217 January 2023Robbie Nyaguy Labor
Mornington PeninsulaSeawindsKerri McCafferty IndependentResignation21 December 20226 February 2023Simon Brooks Independent
StonningtonEastAlexander Lew LiberalResignation21 December 202219 January 2023Joe Gianfriddo Angry Victorians
Colac OtwayUnsubdividedJamie Bell IndependentResignation7 February 20231 March 2023Max Arnott Independent
Southern GrampiansUnsubdividedGreg McAdam IndependentResignation13 April 202317 May 2023Fran Malone Independent
Baw BawCentralJoe Gauci IndependentResignation27 April 202317 May 2023Farhat Firdous Independent
QueenscliffeUnsubdividedFleur Hewitt IndependentResignation29 May 202319 June 2023Robert Minty Independent
Greater GeelongWindermereKylie Grzybek IndependentResignation29 May 202328 June 2023Sarah Hathway Socialist Alliance
StrathbogieLake NagambieDavid Andrews IndependentResignation27 June 202317 July 2023Robin Weatherald United Australia
GlenelgUnsubdividedAnita Rank Independent NationalResignation30 June 20237 August 2023John Northcott Independent
IndigoUnsubdividedLarry Goldsworthy IndependentResignation3 July 20239 August 2023Sue Gold Independent
Greater GeelongBellarineStephanie Asher Independent LiberalResignation31 July 202331 August 2023Elise Wilkinson Put Climate First
Bass CoastWestern PortBruce Kent Independent LiberalResignation7 August 202311 August 2023Geoff Ellis Independent Labor
GlenelgUnsubdividedJayden Smith IndependentResignation19 October 202320 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
GlenelgUnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback20 November 202322 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
GlenelgUnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback22 November 202327 November 2023Successful candidate did not confirm they are qualified
Glen EiraCamdenDavid Zyngier GreensDeath26 November 20238 January 2024Jane Karslake Independent Labor
GlenelgUnsubdividedN/A N/ANo winner at previous countback27 November 20235 December 2023Robyn McDonald Independent
FrankstonNorth-WestSteven Hughes IndependentResignation11 December 202315 January 2024Glenn Aitken Independent
MaribyrnongRiverSarah Carter LaborDeath7 August 2024No countback held due to proximity of 2024 local elections

Notes and References

  1. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/greens-councillors-tear-up-membership-slam-leadership-over-surveillance-disinformation-fear-20240430-p5fnos.html
  2. Web site: 2020 council election results . Victorian Electoral Commission . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228083807/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/council-election-results/2020-council-election-results . 28 December 2023.
  3. Web site: Casey City Council . Victorian Electoral Commission.
  4. Web site: Covid: Melbourne's hard-won success after a marathon lockdown . BBC News.
  5. Web site: Councils want local elections put on ice, say 'pros outweigh the cons' . The Age.
  6. Web site: Local Government Elections To Go Ahead In October . Premier of Victoria.
  7. Web site: Electoral structure changes for 2020 . Department of Government Services.
  8. Web site: Boroondara City Council . Burwood Liberals . 11 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111002550/https://www.burwoodliberals.org/boroondara-city-council . 11 November 2020.
  9. Web site: Mahoney . Gavin . 2020 Victorian Local Government Election Results and Analysis . Spence Consulting Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611112017/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5aa8ae38266c07fe6b490973/t/5fab1ce1ac99946fb7aadad4/1605049579716/SCG_2020+Victorian+Local+Government+Election+Analysis.pdf . 11 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Wingate . Peter . Vote for Me... I Hate Politicians! . The Westsider.
  11. Web site: Labor Party to endorse Ballarat council candidates . The Courier.
  12. Web site: Wodonga Council Election Campaign Donation Returns Disclosure . City of Wodonga.
  13. Web site: Booker . Chloe . Labor distances itself from 'Islamophobic' Darebin council candidate . The Age.
  14. Web site: Australia's first Greens-dominated council elected in Yarra . The Age.
  15. Web site: New councillor for Yarra City Council. Victorian Electoral Commission. 2023-06-08. 2023-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123113419/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/about-us/media/new-councillor-for-yarra-city-council. dead.
  16. Web site: Royall . Ian . Yarra Council former mayor Amanda Stone quits the Greens party . Herald Sun.
  17. Web site: Deery . Shannon . New political party to challenge Labor and Coalition in 2022 Victorian election . Herald Sun.
  18. Web site: Rooney . Kieran . Victorians Party announce first batch of candidates to take on major parties . Herald Sun.
  19. Web site: Victorians Party announce abrupt exit from state election race, citing finance difficulties . Herald Sun.
  20. Web site: Swan Hill councillor Stuart King is Palmer's man for Mallee .
  21. Web site: Perry . Maggie . Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party founder becomes Victoria's first openly trans councillor . 6 News Australia.
  22. Web site: Councillor resigns following electoral fraud charges as VCAT mulls fresh election . The Age.
  23. Web site: Second socialist elected in Moreland, after Labor property developer steps down . Green Left.
  24. Web site: Morgan . Cassandra . Votes tampered with in Melbourne council poll: tribunal . The West Australian.
  25. Web site: Waters . Cara . Merri-bek councillor resigns from Greens in solidarity with Lidia Thorpe . The Age.
  26. Web site: Greens councillors tear up membership, slam leadership over ‘surveillance, disinformation, fear’ . The Age.
  27. Web site: Media releases . Victorian Electoral Commission . 2023-06-08 . 2021-12-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230210941/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/about-us/media . bot: unknown .
  28. Web site: Countbacks & By-Elections (Vic) . Local Government News Roundup.