Botany Labour Electorate Committee

21 November 2016

PRESS RELEASE: Lucy Schwaner fails to understand local democracy.

Mark Johnson, the Labour candidate for the vacant local board seat in the Botany Sub-division, said he is concerned over Ms Schwaner’s evident lack of understanding of the nature of the Local Board structure, given her comments after her decision to resign from the Local Board immediately after losing the vote to Chair the Board.

On the Stuff website Friday, Schwaner claimed “The cost of a by-election could be avoided if other groups decided not to put a candidate forward and allowed [previous local board candidate Mike] Turinsky to fill the vacancy unchallenged.”

“Ms Schwaner is evidently unaware how local politics work, if she thinks fewer candidates is the financial solution to the scandal she has created in the Botany sub-division,” said Johnson. “This boondoggle will cost over twice the salary of a Howick Local Board member, regardless of how many parties contest the vacant seat.”

Ms Schwaner had ample time after her election to the board, to establish how many votes she was likely to get in the vote for chair. She could have avoided the situation by vacating her seat before being sworn in, and allowing the next highest-placing candidate, Mike Turinsky, to take her place. Instead, she chose to trigger an expensive by-election.

The by-election, possibly costing $150,000, will allow the ratepayers to discuss and debate the functioning of the present Board and to elect another, more conciliatory candidate.

Mr Johnson looks forward to the by-election and bringing the positive Labour values of transparency, approachability and accountability to the Howick Local Board.

© Scoop Media