Public Statement

As Mayor of The Barossa Council, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to undertake a raft of duties, including visiting and speaking widely in the community. I thoroughly enjoy these duties.

However, it is my role today to provide an unwelcome, but necessary, public statement on matters raised with me, as well as my fellow Councillors and the Council as an entity.

Collectively, we are aware of a range of incidents pertaining to one of the candidates in the recent State Election, that occurred predominantly at the Tanunda pre-polling location, but also at other locations. These incidents have been raised with us on the understanding that the Council may have jurisdiction to deal with the same, as well as given the implied, negative, reflection for the Council, as a whole.

Unfortunately, whilst I agree such reports certainly reflect negatively on Council, through no fault of the majority of Elected Members and all of its staff, regretfully, there is little I can formally do under the Behavioural Standards for Council Members, other than assure you that I, and we, know and apologise for the negative inference on Council’s reputation through this reported conduct at the polling stations.

I want to publicly acknowledge that we are aware of the incidents, and I have immediately raised the specific matters directly with the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia, who does have jurisdiction in this space, as well as responding to the individuals who have made us aware of the same. I will continue to monitor these incidents through whatever channel I may have at my disposal.

Please be assured that I, and my fellow Councillors not involved in standing for election in the recent State Election, do not support or condone these reported actions and behaviours. Indeed, we are disgusted at the reports and complaints we have received.

I encourage anyone who has experienced any inappropriate behaviour at polling booths during the State election to report these matters to the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia immediately, or if warranted, the relevant party and Police.

Michael (Bim) Lange OAM