NSW Labor unveils plans to repeal infamous ‘double-voting’ laws for Sydney CBD

By JUSTIN COOPER

Double-voting laws for businesses in the Sydney CBD are coming to an end, with the New South Wales Labor Government ready to scrap policies once introduced to challenge City of Sydney Mayor, Clover Moore.

NSW Local Government minister Ron Hoenig announced the plans last week, describing the previous implementation of such laws as “something North Korea would be proud of.”

Introduced by the Coalition in 2014 these laws automatically provided businesses located in the CBD to select two electors during City of Sydney local elections, even if the owners did not live in the LGA.

Sole traders, rate-paying lessees, or occupiers of rateable land were provided this extra selection within the City of Sydney, whereas in many other NSW LGAs such businesses are only provided one selection.

An “Undemocratic System”

Hoenig continued, saying that as “one of the most undemocratic systems of any election system in Australia,” it should simply be repealed to provide a fair system for voters in the next election for the LGA.

These decisions come after Hoenig received a letter from ally and State MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, who requested the government take a second look.

“The clear aim [of such laws] was to seize control of Town Hall by increasing the conservative vote,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Hoenig elaborated in a statement, telling CityHub that the current laws have been “unfair, anti-democratic and unreasonably expensive for the Council to maintain.”

“[The City of Sydney] is also home to over 210,000 residents who deserve the same electoral rights as a resident of any other Local Government Area,” they wrote.

The spokesperson continued, discussing how following failed attempts in 2017 by the then opposing Labor Government, the minister and shareholders are now able to consult on details for the new policy.

“Any changes will be made well in advance of the next Council election due in September 2024,” they said.

“Disenfranchise the business community”

Following the announcement of repeals, Liberal City of Sydney councillor Shauna Jarrett rejected their unwinding as “disenfranchising” local businesses.

Cr Jarrett spoke with CityHub, discussing her support for the laws and suggesting instead that they be expanded to other LGAs throughout Sydney..

She explains that current laws for the City of Sydney are ensuring small businesses are “adequately represented,” worrying that repealing laws will “silence” economic voices within local government, and saying, “if the 2014 laws were to be repealed, [the] Council would not represent the voice of businesses who play a vital role in the City of Sydney.”

A 2012 Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters recommended such voting systems be expanded to other larger economic business LGAs, a system which Jarrett encourages for other larger cities such as Parramatta, Newcastle and Wollongong.

“Expanding these laws to other CBDs will help see greater collaboration between local government and business in transforming their local government areas,” says Cr Jarrett.

Consultation on the policy changes are currently being detailed with plans for laws to be repealed before the next City of Sydney council election.