By NICOLE VALICEK
FIVE Melton City Council candidates have failed to declare any donations they may have received for their election campaigns and could face fines of more than $8000.
Two candidates running for election from the Cambridge Ward, two from the Watts Ward and one from the Coburn Ward did not surrender their campaign donation returns, which they are required to do by law.
Money or gifts used to help fund individuals’ election campaigns must be declared in order to ensure the integrity of local government elections, Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said.
“The public expect and have the right to know if council candidates received gifts, donations or in-kind assistance worth $500 or more from any individual, business or organisation,” Ms Powell said.
“Candidates need to be aware that even if they have no campaign donations to declare they are still legally required to submit a return.”
The candidates’ names have been referred to the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate.
As well as facing an $8,450 fine candidates also risk prosecution by the Local Government Inspectorate.
Star was unable to contact the five candidates, but we can reveal that none were elected to sit on council.
Seventy-two candidates ran for Melton City Council in October’s election, of those that submitted their returns, 62 disclosed no gifts above $500.
Newly elected Mayor Kathy Majdlik received a gift valued at $5190 from Centre Management.com.au.Pty Ltd.
Watts Ward candidate Andrew Majdlik received the highest value of disclosed gifts that included $500 from AKA Pty Ltd and $4405 from Centre Management.com.au.Pty Ltd.
Newly elected Watts Ward councilor Lara Carli received a gift of $1500 from R&R Mammarella; while Cambridge Ward candidate Bronwyn Jones received a gift from Rakwood Pty Ltd valued at $634.50.
Council declined to comment saying it was not appropriate to speak on any candidate’s behalf and it was up to individuals to submit their returns.
