The City of Coffs Harbour will hold an information session for prospective by-election candidates on Wednesday 28 October. The one-hour session, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm in the River Oak Room at Yarrila Place, will explain the work and responsibilities of a local councillor. Candidates do not need expert knowledge of local government, as councillors come from diverse backgrounds. General Manager Murray Wood said the role involves major decisions affecting the community's future, and urged people considering a run to attend and ask questions.
Prospective candidates for a Coffs Harbour City Council by-election can attend an information session on Wednesday, 28 October, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at the River Oak Room, Yarrila Place. The session will cover the responsibilities of councillors and the decisions they make. General Manager Murray Wood urged anyone considering running to attend and ask questions. The by-election fills the seat left vacant by Paul Amos's resignation, with polling day on Saturday, 12 December. The new councillor will serve until the September 2028 general election. Candidates do not need prior local government experience.
Socialist Alliance will appear on the ballot paper for the Victorian election on November 28, after its registration lapsed in 2019. Party candidate Sue Bolton said the party will run with its name and logo, promoting progressive, pro-worker policies. The party is fielding candidates in Melbourne's Northern Metropolitan Region and in Geelong, and is calling for public sector rebuilding and 100,000 new public houses. Candidate Sarah Hathway said the party gives workers an alternative to right-wing parties such as One Nation.
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Voters in the Williamstown electorate will get the chance to question candidates for the state seat at a Meet the Candidates event. The panel will be held at Newport Bowls Club on Sunday 18 October, with six candidates invited, including incumbent Labor MP Melissa Horne. Questions may cover local issues such as crime, traffic, housing and infrastructure, but must relate to the electorate and be directed to the whole panel. Doors open at 12pm and the discussion begins at 1pm. Attendees must register beforehand.
South Australians are being encouraged to consider standing for council in the April 2027 elections. A statewide Shape Your World campaign, run by the Local Government Association of South Australia and the Electoral Commission of South Australia, offers free online resources to help people decide. Candidate nominations open on 26 January 2027 and close at noon on 9 February 2027. Voting is by postal ballot and closes at 5pm on 7 April 2027. The elections were moved from November 2026 at the Electoral Commission's request.
Ten of the 11 candidates for Hobart lord mayor have been speed-dated by ABC Hobart Breakfast presenter Ryk Goddard. The candidates introduced themselves and participated in rapid-fire rounds and a sentence-completion challenge. Ballot papers are being sent to voters this week. The candidates are Tiffany Ashdown, Rifatul Bari, Louise Bloomfield, Mike Dutta, Bill Harvey, John Kelly, Harvey Lennon, Jack McShane, Ryan Posselt and Marti Zucco.
One Nation has announced its candidates for the Geelong and Lara electorates ahead of next month’s state election. Police officer Stephen Spyros will contest Lara, focusing on law and order and cost-of-living relief. John De Lorenzo, a former federal independent candidate, will stand in Geelong, campaigning on easing cost-of-living pressures and supporting local industries. Both candidates are running on platforms that include reducing bureaucracy and ensuring their communities have a strong voice in parliament.
