CANDIDATES in the October 27 Maribyrnong Council elections say spiralling campaign costs destroy the chance of a level playing field.
The Weekly asked all 29 candidates vying for seven positions to declare how much they are spending and how the money has been sourced.
Only a handful would disclose their full costs but many called for donations to be declared before voting took place.
Labor councillors Sel Sanli and Michael Clarke both revealed their campaigns are costing up to $10,000. Cr Clarke said he had personally paid for the entire campaign but would accept donations. “It’s not a level playing field.
Simply, the more funds, people and time you have, the stronger your campaign. If you don’t have the resources it becomes very difficult to compete.”
Cr Sanli said that despite common belief, Labor candidates received no financial backing from the party.
Grant Miles said his campaign was costing him about $5000, mostly on printing and posting flyers and leaflets.
“It’s not a level playing field; Labor and the Greens are definitely at an advantage.”
Independent candidate Ben Coyle said major-party advertising overwhelmed the independents. Of his $1700 spending, 90 per cent was self-funded with the rest via “minor fund-raising”.
Nam Quach declined to say how much he was spending but said running independently was “a bit of David vs Goliath, especially financially”.
Labor’s Cr Martin Zakharov said it was his most expensive campaign, all self-funded.
Labor candidate Llewellyn Rees said his campaign was self-funded apart from a small fund-raising barbecue.
Cameron McDonald is spending $2000 and feels independents are at a disadvantage.
Cr Catherine Cumming estimates she’ll spend $2000.
Labor hopeful Catherine van Vliet said high costs meant fewer residents and more business people on the council.
On behalf of the seven Greens, Emily Sims said the party’s campaign was likely to cost at least $5800, mainly to print campaign material.
