2023 Local Council election
Health Department estimates suggest there are over 4000 residents in the City of Busselton who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as more than 1 in every 10 tourists.
This City of Busselton Council Election is happening in October 2023. Residents will receive voting packages via post in late September, which need to be returned by election day - 21 October.
On 19 July 2023, an apparent neo-nazi addressed a community consultation event at Council Chambers. He expressed strong opposition to LGBTIQA+ books being available in the local library and called for their removal and a ban of such books.
We have sent a survey to all candidates to gather their views on this issue and several LGBTQIA+ topics.
Summary of Responses
We have received responses from four of the six Mayoral Candidates - Cr. Phill Cronin, Cr. Jodie Richards, Cr. Sue Riccelli, and Kate Cox. All four have responded positively.
We have received responses from all of the Council Candidates except one.
Candidates Cr. Ross Paine and Val Kaigg have responded positively. Candidates Richard Beecroft and Jarrod Kennedy responded declining to answer the questions.
Candidate Andrew Macnish has responded with a lengthy yet ambiguous response.
Those who have not responded as of 23 September 2023 are Mayoral Candidates Paul Carter and Anne Ryan, and Council Candidate Cherise Woodhams.
Note - it appears Councillor Carter may not have received our email. We have resent it and hope to have an answer from him soon.
Full Responses - Mayoral Candidates
Note - Candidates who are both a Mayoral Candidate and a Council candidate are recorded in the Mayoral list only.
Responses - Council Candidates
Note - Stephen Wells was not sent the survey due to his extremist views already extensively published online. Candidate Andrew MacNish's response is attached here separately due to it's length.