🚩 The Proof in the Minutes: No Names, No Accountability
For years, Kwinana families have been hit with rates 8% higher than our neighbors. But if you try to find out who specifically voted for these increases, you’ll find a wall of silence.
As of February 2026, a look at the most recent official Kwinana Council minutes (including the December 2025 and late 2025 meetings) shows that the City is still recording most decisions with a simple “CARRIED 9/0” or “CARRIED 8/0.” What is the problem with this?
- The “Unanimous” Mask: When a vote is recorded as “9/0,” it looks like everyone agrees. But we know from public objections that residents are struggling. Why isn’t a single Councillor recording a “No” vote to represent the twelve formal objections lodged by the community?
- Accountability Gap: New WA state laws (effective January 1, 2025) were designed to force “Class 1” councils like Kwinana to be more transparent. However, Kwinana is still relying on “collective” totals rather than listing every name for every vote.
Why ALWMGroup is Watching
When the voting record is anonymous, your Councillor can tell you they “fought for you” at your front door, then walk into the Chambers and vote for a rate hike without a single person knowing.
The Fact: In the most recent Ordinary Council Meetings (OCM), major decisions like the “Early Years Strategy 2025-2028” were still passed with a collective 9/0 vote. No individual names were listed to show who specifically pushed the motion and who simply followed along.
⚖️ The New Rule You Should Know
Under the Local Government Amendment Act 2023, Councils are now required to livestream and record meetings. But written minutes are the legal record. ALWMGroup believes that “9/0” isn’t good enough. If they have the guts to take your money, they should have the guts to put their name next to the “Yes” vote.
🧐 Ask Your Councillor Today:
“If the law says you must be transparent, why are your votes still being hidden behind ‘unanimous’ totals? Will you commit to recording your individual name on every vote from now on?”