Please note: Nominations for the 2024 General Council Elections closed 17 September 2024

Are you thinking of running for Council in the 2024 local government elections?
Mornington Peninsula Shire, is hosting information sessions with the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to help you prepare. These sessions will cover the election process, candidate requirements, and Councillors' roles and responsibilities.

Mandatory Candidate Training

All candidates must complete the mandatory training before becoming eligible to nominate for the 2024 General Local Council Elections

About this training The Victorian Government provides this compulsory training for all Victorians who wish to nominate as a candidate in any council elections. The training will help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a councillor. Under the Local Government Act 2020 you will not be able to nominate as a candidate unless you have completed the training.

For further information visit the Local Government Victoria website.

Victorian Electoral Commission Sessions (VEC)

The VEC will run three in-person information sessions for candidates, covering the nomination and election process in detail. The VEC will appoint a local election manager to attend and assist with your nomination and provide advice.

The sessions will each cover the same information, so there's no need to attend all. You are welcome to attend the session that best suits you

• 6.30pm, Wednesday 4 September Rosebud Office, 90 Besgrove Street Rosebud
• 6.30pm, Thursday 5 September Mornington Office, 2 Queen Street Mornington
• 6.30pm, Friday 6 September Hastings Office, 21 Marine Parade Hastings

While registration is available to assist us with planning, it is not compulsory, and you can simply turn up to any session. If you have any specific enquiries or accessibility needs, please email election.information@mornpen.vic.gov.au. 

Please note these events has concluded, and no further sessions are scheduled.

Registrations Now Open

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) - Becoming a Councillor

This session covers the role of Local Government and what you can expect if elected. It includes details on how local Councils work, the responsibilities of Councillors and important issues to consider when standing for Council

Please note that this event has concluded, and no further sessions are scheduled.

Learn More

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) - Life as Women Councillor
Join us to hear from female Councillors about their journeys in the 2024 local government elections. Explore their unique experiences, from running for office to serving on the Council, in a friendly and informal setting designed to encourage discussion and idea sharing. 

Please note that this event has concluded, and no further sessions are scheduled.

Learn More

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV),is offering several Community and Candidate Information sessions. These sessions are available both online and in person. Further information can be found at: Municipal Association of Victoria

Please note: Nominations for the 2024 General Council Elections closed 17 September 2024

Eligibility

To become a candidate in a local council election, you must:

• have completed the mandatory Local Government candidate training before nominating
• be an Australian citizen
• be 18 years or older
• be enrolled in the council you're contesting
• not be disqualified from being a councillor.

You cannot be a candidate if any of the following apply to you:

• you are an undischarged bankrupt
• you have property that is subject to control under the law relating to bankruptcy
• you are employed by the council you're contesting (you can take leave from your role to nominate)
• you have been convicted of any criminal offences referred to in the Local Government Act 2020
• you are a councillor of another council, including interstate councils
• you are member of any Australian state or federal parliament
• you are employed by a federal or state member of parliament as a ministerial officer, a parliamentary adviser, or an electorate officer. You can take leave from your role to nominate
• you are otherwise incapable of becoming or continuing to be a councillor.

Further details are outlined in the Local Government Act 2020.

Seek independent legal advice if you're unsure about your eligibility to nominate.

Compulsory Mandatory Candidate Training

All candidates must complete the mandatory training provided by Local Government Victoria before submitting their nomination form. For more information, please visit the Local Government Victoria website.

How to Nominate 

To nominate, you must:

• complete your nomination paperwork
• make an appointment at the Victorian Electoral Commission's (VEC) local election office
• submit your nomination paperwork in person at your appointment
• declare that you have completed the mandatory Local Government candidate training within 2 years of election day
• pay the $250 nomination fee.

There are strict deadlines for nominations. Late nominations cannot be accepted.

Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) Election Office Details 

Election manager - Julie Allan

Telephone - 131 832

Election office address - 13/143 Point Nepean Road Dromana

Office open (Weekdays only)

9 am – 5 pm - Monday 9 September – Wednesday 23 October 2024

9 am – 8 pm  -Thursday 24 October 2024

9 am – 6 pm - Friday 25 October 2024

Candidate Helper

The VEC recommend you use Candidate Helper to fill out your nomination paperwork.

This online tool guides you through the process and saves you time at the election office when you’re finalising your nomination.

Candidate Helper will be available from Tuesday 20 August.

Find out more about how to nominate.

This section provides essential resources for your campaign, including the Signage Policy and Campaign Guides. Access these materials to ensure your campaign adheres to regulations and best practices.

Campaigning

If you are sharing something that is considered 'electoral campaign material', you must authorise it. These requirements apply to everyone at all times, not just candidates or during elections.

Learn how to authorise electoral campaign material.

The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing these rules and investigating breaches. Visit lgi.vic.gov.au for more information.

Funding and donations

Candidates must disclose donations and gifts they receive in the lead up to an election or provide a statement that no gifts were received. The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing these rules and investigating breaches. Visit lgi.vic.gov.au for more information.
There is no public funding available for local council candidates.

The VEC 2024  Candidate Handbook has all the information you need to know about how elections work and how to nominate.

The VEC Scrutineer Handbook describes what activities a scrutineer can observe and gives instructions on how to appoint a scrutineer.

MPS - Electoral Signage Guidelines.pdf

MAV - The Voice for Local Government - Time to Stand for Council 

MPS - Candidates Information Request Register(PDF, 543KB)

Local Government Act 2020

Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020

Local Government Amendment (Governance and Integrity) Act 2024

This section provides links to key policies governing councillors' conduct and responsibilities. Review the Councillor Code of Conduct, the Councillor Gift Policy, and the Councillor Expenses Reimbursements Resources and Facilities Policy to understand the standards and guidelines ensuring ethical and accountable governance.

Councillor-Code-of-Conduct.pdf(PDF, 192KB)

Councillor Gifts Policy(PDF, 216KB)

Councillor Expenses Reimbursements Resources and Facilities Policy(PDF, 187KB)

Governance Rules

Election (Caretaker) Period Policy

The Councillor Induction Program at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is designed to welcome and support newly elected Councillors. This high-level overview spans several stages, including welcome, connection, learning, business, and growth. It covers mandatory training, introduction to local government processes, setting up for success, and continuous improvement. Key areas include IT access, meeting staff members, understanding roles and responsibilities, code of conduct, public speaking, governance overview, advocacy, ongoing learning, project development, and establishing a legacy. A more detailed look at the induction program will be provided closer to the election date.

Councillor Transition Program 2024.(PDF, 115KB)