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Information about Orange City Council, located in the Central West Of NSW
  

Referendum Yes / No Case

Ballor box imageThis summary of the Yes / No case for the September Referendum was prepared for Orange City Council by the Western Research Institute.

  
The 'Yes' case

~ The position of Mayor should be determined directly by the
electors and not elected representatives

  • Popular election of the Mayor would give predictability about the style and direction of the Council leadership and stability to the office for a period of four years.
  • The Mayor would be able to provide leadership, adhere to agreed strategic directions and influence long term planning and policy setting
  • Election of the Mayor by the people would remove the internal politics of Councillors each year during the time leading up to the election of Mayor.
  • Popular election of Mayor would give residents an opportunity to consider Mayoral candidates' policies and vote accordingly.
  • A popularly elected Mayor will have a high public profile and clear public endorsement.
  • Popular election of Mayor would make the position of Mayor more accountable to residents and give the office a stronger community focus.
  • The possibility of a Mayor being elected ‘out of the hat’ is avoided in the event of two or more Councillors receiving equal votes from their peers.
  • Mayor is chosen on personal calibre, rather than alliances with other councillors

Ballot BoxThe 'No' case

~ The elected Council should determine the leader of the Council

  • Popular election could benefit financially resourced candidates.
  • Neither electors nor the Council would be able to change an unsatisfactory Mayor before the next election.
  • The elected council should elect their leader and not have one imposed on them and with whom they may not be able to work constructively or cooperatively.
  • Individuals may pick a Mayor based on their popularity and not on their ability.
  • Councillors should have the option of assessing the Mayor on an annual basis and be able to change that person if she/he does not perform to expectation, or if conflict develops.
  • A popularly elected Mayor and his/her planning and policy directions, views and actions may not have the support of the majority of Councillors.
  • If the Mayor resigned or vacated the Office of Mayor for any reason, the community may have to meet the high costs of a bi-election to determine a new Mayor.
  • The four year Mayoral term may be too great a commitment for some candidates to make and this may limit the nominations.
  • The positions of Prime Minister and Premier are not elected by popular Vote and the popular election of the Mayor would be inconsistent with this.