2007 Quadrennial Elections

Election results

By National Returning Officer Phil Byrne

The 2007-2011 Quadrennial Election has now concluded with the membership declaring confidence in the current officers to lead the union through for the next four years.

The election was noticeably quiet with many candidates elected unopposed and a lower than expected participation rate. The election result differed from the 2003 outcome when six branch officials in three major branches were defeated.

• All incumbent officers have been re-elected, with the exception of Tasmania Branch Secretary, Mick Wickham.

• Five candidates have been elected to office for the first time:

Les Rayward, Sth Qld

Paul McAleer, Sydney

Peder Bull , Tasmania

Clem Clothier, SA

Glen Williams, Sth NSW (Unopposed)

• Compared to previous elections the overall participation rate for this election (approximately 57%) was low. But in some branches, the vote return was much higher (Sth Qld 75 per cent and Tas 70 per cent).

The Maritime Union sought the approval of the Industrial Registrar to once again conduct its own election, as determined at the October 2006 National Council.

The final roll of voters comprised financial members of the MUA as of 23 February 2007, and nominations opened on 6 March for all positions (four national, 24 branch).

When the period for nominations closed at 5pm on Tuesday, 10 April, 42 candidates had challenged for the 28 positions to be filled.

Sixteen candidates were elected unopposed, including the National Secretary, and 26 candidates contested the remaining 12 positions. All nominations met the requirements under the rules, and were accepted. As well, each candidate supplied a photo and 100-word statement that was published in the Autumn 2007 edition of the Maritime Workers Journal and on the MUA website for the benefit of the members prior to the posting out of the ballot papers on 30 April.

One nomination for the Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Branch was received late, and not accepted under the rules. The rules are clear - nominations must arrive before 5pm on the day nominations are to close. Australia Post had assured the candidate involved that his nomination forwarded by registered mail would definitely be in Sydney by Tuesday 10 April. It did not arrive at World Square Post Office until Wednesday 11 April, too late to be included in the ballot.

The nominations received included one from the first female candidate to stand for an elected official position in the history of the MUA or its forbears. In the Sydney Branch, Lorraine Ryan, who is an active member in the Sydney Ferries workforce, stood for the position of Assistant Branch Secretary. Despite coming from a small area of membership with limited exposure, she still managed to face the challenges at election time by attending smoko meetings and various union activities. The consequent recognition factor led to her receiving a solid level of support in a traditionally male industry.

Another candidate for the same position in Sydney Branch approached the Returning Officer after the close of nominations and after the printing of ballot papers and associated material, to advise that unforeseen circumstances had developed. As a consequence, he was now in the unfortunate position that if he were to be elected, he would be unable to fulfill his responsibilities as an officer of the Branch.

When the candidate was told that under the rules, he was not able to withdraw his nomination, he asked that the membership of the Sydney Branch be made aware of his situation to prevent members unknowingly voting for him. The Sydney Branch issued a statement to its members through the Branch News, the MUA website and by text message.

The 2007 MUA election was conducted in accordance with the rules of the Maritime Union as registered with the Industrial Registrar. Since the 2003 election, there have been significant amendments to the Workplace Relations Act affecting the rules in regard to how our election is conducted, as well as some changes to the MUA rules adopted by the last National Conference and registered in November 2005. These changes included:

• The final roll of voters to be made up 10 days prior to the opening of nominations

• The use of a "declaration envelope" that the voter must sign before posting the ballot paper back, when it can be checked against the roll

• a reduction in the voting period to approximately six weeks.

Ballot papers were posted to all members listed on the final roll on Monday 30 April 2007. A lot of effort was spent getting ballot papers to ship crews who would be away for the duration of the voting period, and these were forwarded to the MUA delegates via the shipping agents for their vessels. These included the following ships:

Lady Audrey

Iron Yandi

The security of the ballot material was conducted in a similar manner to the 2003 election, with the returned ballot papers being picked up two days a week from the Haymarket Post Office in sealed letter trays, and taken directly to the Haymarket branch of the Commonwealth Bank for safe keeping until they were required for the count. Any un-counted ballot papers at the end of the day's scrutiny were then returned to the bank.

• 8 members obtained an absentee vote because they would not be home to receive their ballot papers

• 16 candidates had scrutineers to represent them during the course of the election and during the count

• 11 candidates sought access to the roll for voting purposes.

As in previous elections, some candidates sought access to the roll of voters, so that they could forward election material only to the members. Upon a written request being received by the Returning Officer, in which the candidate commits to using the Branch roll for election proposes only, to return it at the end of the election, and payment for printing and postage, a copy of the roll is released in hard copy only, showing only the name and address of voters.

In an election, this use of the roll always raises comments from members. New members wonder how candidates have obtained their private information, while some candidates request that the roll be electronically transferred directly to their printer. Others say that a hard copy nowadays is too easily scanned with modern technology, and ask how can privacy be protected once it is downloaded. The Privacy Act provides significant penalties for misuse of information.

During the course of the election, a small number of members requesting a ballot paper, were shown to be fully financial and entitled to vote, but had been left off the final roll in an administrative error. After checking their Branch and membership section, they were included on the supplementary roll.

As well, it turned out that the computerised "Unison" membership system held back a number of new members from inclusion on the roll. These members were held back as "unapproved" in the electronic system and although they had signed up to the MUA, and were paying their correct contributions there was a delay before adding them to the roll. This step can take a number of weeks or more. There were 46 of these new members, mostly in WA, and following legal advice they also were included on the Supplementary Roll during the course of the voting period.

The count was concluded on Wednesday 20 June 2007. The poll was declared on Monday, June 25 and all branches and candiadates were notified by mail.

I wish to congratulate the successful candidates who will take office from July 1, 2007 and thank MUA Industrial Officer Bill Giddins as well as all MUA staff in national office and the branches for their assistance.

Download the PDF below charting the election count and candidates' vote