2004 New South Wales local elections explained

The 2004 New South Wales local elections were held on 27 March 2004 to elect the councils of the local government areas (LGAs) of New South Wales, Australia.^{[2] [3]} Several councils also held mayoral elections.^{[4] [5]}

Just one month before the elections, several councils were abolished and amalgamated.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Candidates

One Nation contested at least five LGAs, although the party's incumbent Campbelltown councillor, Bob Thompson, left the party prior to the 2004 elections.^{[9] [10]}

The Australian Jewish News observed that there was an "unprecedented number" of Jewish candidates contesting the elections.^[11]

Aftermath

Shoalhaven donations

Following the elections, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Shoalhaven Independents Group − which won a majority on Shoalhaven City Council − was "helped by thousands of dollars of developers' money that paid for a television, radio and print election campaign" larger than that of any other candidate.^{[13] [14]} The donations to SIG for the 2004 election totalled $91,017.^{[15] [16]}

In 2008, it was found that SIG's funding declaration failed to disclose four years' worth of political donations, including Watson's unsuccessful campaign for the electorate of South Coast at the 2003 state election.^{[17] [18] [19]}

See also

• 2004 Sydney City Council election

Notes and References

1. Web site: Local government elections - 27th March 2004 . Local government elections.
2. Web site: Local Government Areas . New South Wales Electoral Commission . 27 March 2004.
3. Web site: Local Government Mayoral Election Results . New South Wales Electoral Commission . 27 March 2004.
4. Web site: 2004 NSW Local Government Elections . PANDORA Web Archive.
5. Web site: A preliminary observation on the NSW local government elections . marxist.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217010313/https://www.marxists.org/archive/gould/2004/20040329.htm . 17 December 2023 . 29 March 2004.
6. Web site: Slow response to council election nominations . ABC News . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227071327/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-02-24/slow-response-to-council-election-nominations/140676 . 27 February 2024 . 23 February 2004.
7. Web site: Merger sees council candidate face Coffs challenge . ABC News . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027185628/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-03-05/merger-sees-council-candidate-face-coffs-challenge/146304 . 27 October 2016 . 5 March 2004.
8. Web site: Fraser . Andrew . LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (COUNCIL AND EMPLOYEE SECURITY) BILL . Parliament of New South Wales . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240907023053/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1323879322-69865 . 7 September 2024 . 2 April 2004.
9. Web site: Raue . Ben . Campbelltown council election, 2021 . The Tally Room . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402004103/https://www.tallyroom.com.au/archive/nswcouncil2021/campbelltown2021 . 2 April 2024.
10. Web site: Liberals, One Nation to swap preferences . Sydney Morning Herald . 8 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410231155/https://www.smh.com.au/national/liberals-one-nation-to-swap-preferences-20040325-gdilpj.html . 10 April 2021 . 25 March 2004.
11. Web site: NSW council elections: candidates, issues . Trove . Australian Jewish News . 15 September 2024 . 8 . 19 March 2004.
12. Web site: About . Residents First Woollahra . 16 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240916074333/https://www.residentsfirst.org/about/ . 16 September 2024.
13. Web site: Developers' donations pushed team to coastal victory . Sydney Morning Herald . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915030513/https://www.smh.com.au/national/developers-donations-pushed-team-to-coastal-victory-20041221-gdkcrt.html . 15 September 2024 . 21 December 2004.
14. Web site: More corporate funds for mayor's group . Sydney Morning Herald . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915032027/https://www.smh.com.au/national/more-corporate-funds-for-mayors-group-20080910-gdsuch.html . 15 September 2024 . 10 September 2008.
15. Web site: Hatton . John . Planning in NSW is out of control . Sydney Morning Herald . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240829073310/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/planning-in-nsw-is-out-of-control-20091102-hrt0.html . 29 August 2024 . 2 November 2009.
16. Web site: Frew . Wendy . Council accused of cheap land sale . Sydney Morning Herald . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915040735/https://www.smh.com.au/national/council-accused-of-cheap-land-sale-20080408-gds8kd.html . 15 September 2024 . 8 April 2008.
17. Web site: Wheeldon . David . Mayor’s party broke the law . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161103170507/https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/990885/mayors-party-broke-the-law/ . 3 November 2016 . 16 March 2008.
18. Web site: Businessman defends Watson donations . ABC News . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161029153817/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-05-15/businessman-defends-watson-donations/2437196 . 29 October 2016 . 16 May 2008.
19. Web site: Hanscombe . John . Secret dossier on donations outed by Nile . South Coast Register . 15 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915031535/https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/991421/secret-dossier-on-donations-outed-by-nile/ . 15 September 2024 . 13 May 2008.