Two Alexandrina councillors have been named as among the 45 to have been stood down across South Australia for failing to complete necessary paperwork.

The council members did not lodge their campaign returns from last November’s local government elections, as required under legislation.

The Electoral Commission South Australia (ECSA) has notified Alexandrina CEO Nigel Morris West ward councillor Michael Scott and South ward councillor Peter Oliver are among the 45 and they have been stood down.

It is up to each affected councillor to lodge an application with the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) to seek reinstatement, and demonstrate the circumstances that prevented them from reporting on time.

Mr Morris says that, should the councillors not be reinstated, there would not necessarily need to be a supplementary election.

“Both Michael and Peter were devastated by the news and having had issues lodging their returns (with no donations to declare) have applied to SACAT for reinstatement.  

“Should their application be declined it is my understanding that the vacancy will be attempted to be filled under the ‘count back’ method under the LG (Elections) Act.  

“We now await the results of SACAT before determining next steps.

“Council members affected will pause participation of Council Meetings or decision making of Council. 

“The difficult part for our councils is that until a determination is made by any appeal, elected members who are affected now return to being members of the public – rather than elected officials.”

Mr Morris says the Local Government Association is committed to working with the Minister for Local Government and the Electoral Commission on ways to improve the election process, including how to best avoid instances like this from happening in the future.

“It is far from ideal, and I think we need to hear the options available to prevent occurrences in the future – from what we know, something like this hasn’t occurred on this scale before.”

Victor Harbor’s Michael Quinton and an Onkaparinga Knox ward councillor have also been stood down from their respective councils, pending their SACAT determinations.