Council elections to go ahead despite Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak | MeganGorrey
The NSW government is pushing to hold council elections for more than five million voters in early September as planned while making voting by post or online easier as Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak worsens.
The government’s insistence on pressing ahead with the polls has divided councillors, as the NSW Opposition questioned whether the major logistical exercise could proceed safely given the threat posed by the fast-spreading Delta variant. “I understand the reluctance to postpone, but I think public health and safety should come first. I think if they push through it will be the lowest voter turnout ever.”Credit:City of Sydney Liberal councillor Craig Chung was “torn” about whether the polls should go ahead.
Mr Warren said online voting could be further expanded and polling booths could extend their opening hours or implement a booking system, to avoid large crowds at voting venues such as schools. Councillors have raised concerns proceeding with the September poll would heavily favour incumbents who already had a profile, and candidates backed by the major parties, who had the funds and resources to campaign through letterbox drops.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
World reacts as Sydney Covid-19 crisis spiralsThe world watched as Australia was celebrated for its covid success. And the world is watching now, months on, as the pandemic threatens to explode in Sydney.
Read more »
Sydney records first COVID-19 death this year as cases surgeNSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has urged older people who have had one AstraZeneca vaccine to bring forward their second dose to six weeks after the death of a woman in her 90s | _SarahMcPhee
Read more »
Sydney records first COVID-19 death this year as cases surge“I need to give frank advice that the case numbers in south-west Sydney are extraordinarily high. We know transmission is going ... from household to household” | coronavirus COVID pandemic lockdown sydneylockdown
Read more »
Elderly Sydney woman dies of COVID-19 hours after testing positiveAn elderly woman has died in a Sydney hospital just hours after testing positive to COVID-19. 9News
Read more »
Sydney records first COVID-19 death in 10 months as cases surgeNSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has urged older people who have had one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to bring forward their second dose to six weeks after a woman in her 90s, believed to be unvaccinated, died with COVID-19
Read more »
Australia COVID news LIVE: Woman in 90s dies with COVID-19 as NSW records 77 local cases, more weeks of Greater Sydney lockdown expectedWatch live: Will Victoria shut its border completely to NSW, which has today recorded 77 new cases and one death? Victorian Premier DanielAndrewsMP and Health Minister MartinFoleyMP are giving a COVID19 update | coronavirus lockdown
Read more »