I live in a town where most members of the council seem to be involved in selling cars or houses, and I wonder at times if the public is actually being breed to buy cars or houses.

I would think compulsory voting should be retained, but any ballot paper should have a “None of the Above” box at the bottom of the ballot paper.

With a “None of the Above” box on a ballot paper, each and every candidate must then try to convince the public they are worth voting for.

Sorry Guy, just can't agree!
Rather, it seems only 30% of us understand politics, and another 30% understand economics, with the remaining 40%, who understand neither, actually deciding all election outcomes!
And with considerable help from the motor mouth shock jocks, or power wielding media moguls/or completely compliant mouthpieces!
And we are also seeing the effect of far better informed young people just not voting, or throwing away the only real power they have to effect electoral outcomes/change we can all really believe in.
And given they now represent around 40% of the voting age demographic; if they voted as a block, just to throw the current incumbent out, they almost alone could change policies!
And ensure policies far more friendly for young folks!
And even set us/them up for a far better future, (theirs) than we currently confront!
Don't be among that number of, if only folks, who go to their graves complaining, if only!
If only we grabbed the chance to make a difference, when we still could have!
Get out there and vote!
Even if its just a real protest vote!
And that's best achieved by just placing the incumbent last, with their preferencing partners, just one rung above.
Pollies who are swept from office are the ones who learn to listen/sit up and take notice, rather than tell us what we want, or how much freedom we deserve, as doled out privilege!
[A cost benefit analysis, would be all the evidence anyone would need, to know, State parliaments have just gotta go!]
A return to affordable housing, being the most pressing/first very doable, policy paradigm our representatives need to crack on with!
Rhrosty.

It looks here as if Guy was a pretty bad door knocker, so his anointed bunch didn't win. Now he wants to change the rules so they will. Come off it mate, you lefties are all the same, & we don't want you.

The only change needed in local government elections is to make eligible to vote, only those who receive a rate notice, & have paid those rates.

It is ridiculous that those who have no financial interest in a district should often control who governs that district.

I agree with the author's comments and note over many years Independant candidates running for Local Government have little chance of success in winning a seat at relevant Council against major parties whether it be Labor or Liberal. Most residents don't know who their local members are and view Local Government elections as a "chore" which comes around every 4 years. Most people just vote "labor" or "liberal" and give no thought as to make up of representatives on "their" local Council or how issues raised - under such Council - determines the future of their local area.