Local Government Act Election Rules for the City of Sydney Council
City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Ron Hoenig MP (ALP); The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“I speak on behalf of the Opposition and represent the shadow Minister for Local Government, and the shadow Minister for Small Business, in the other place to oppose the City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023.”
Amanda Cohn GRN
“The Greens support the City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023, which is a small but important step towards restoring democracy to local government in New South Wales. The bill will treat local government elections in the City of Sydney in the same way as every other local government area in New South Wales, as they should be treated.”
Jacqui Munro LIB
“I oppose the City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023. The reality is that the City of Sydney council is not like any other. Sydney is the premier city in Australia. The revenue and the GDP activity it generates represents almost a quarter of the entire State. It is not like any other place in New South Wales and should be respected for what it is: not just a home, but also a place for business.”
Aileen MacDonald LIB
“Before I speak to the City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023, I advise the House that I have an interest in common with the general public. I get to vote in two local government elections: I vote in my hometown of Guyra, but as I have an interest in a studio in the Sydney CBD, I get to vote in the City of Sydney local government elections as well.”
Chris Rath LIB
“I contribute briefly to debate on the City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023. Since we are disclosing interests, I am also the owner of a property in the City of Sydney—in Elizabeth Bay, the part of the City of Sydney that everyone thinks is in Woollahra but is just inside Sydney. I am indeed a ratepayer and a voter in the City of Sydney. The Hon.”
Peter Primrose ALP
“I had not planned on speaking in this debate until I heard the falsehoods that were being propagated. I was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters review into the matter. I was there when the Victorians outlined it, and I will tell the House a couple of things.”
News articles and press releases
City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023
Mr RON HOENIG, Minister for Local Government — 2023-09-13
If passed, the bill will see the following outcomes: A natural person who is a non-resident owner, ratepaying lessee or occupier of rateable land in the City of Sydney will be entitled to apply to be enrolled as a non‑residential elector for the City of Sydney; a corporation that is a non‑resident owner, ratepaying lessee or occupier of rateable land in the City of Sydney will be entitled to nominate one person to be enrolled as a non‑residential elector for the City of Sydney; where there are multiple non-residential owners, ratepaying lessees or occupiers of a parcel of land, only one of those persons may be nominated for enrolment; and where corporations or trustees own or are ratepaying lessees or occupiers of more than one parcel of land in the City of Sydney, or if joint or several non-resident owners, ratepaying lessees or occupiers own or are ratepaying lessees or occupiers of mo