The NSW Electoral Commission has been accused of having an “inappropriate” pre-polling venue at Club Central Hurstville because a director of the club, former MP Kevin Greene is standing for Georges River Council.
Mr Greene is standing for Labor in Peakhurst Ward.
Another Peakhurst Ward candidate, who does not wished to be named, has contacted the Electoral Commissioner about the location of the pre-poll station at Club Central Hurstville, calling it a conflict of interest that disadvantages all the other candidates.
“It is extremely concerning that the Commission intends to install a pre-polling station booth at Club Central Hurstville for the Georges River Council election,” he said.
“It is inappropriate that a licensed premises is being used for electoral purposes. Moreover, Mr Kevin Greene, who intends to stand as a candidate in this election, is a director of this club.
“There is a glut of vacant office space in the Hurstville CBD.
“Please immediately review this untenable situation and make alternative arrangements.”
Mr Greene said he was not aware of the proposed location of the pre-poll station at Club Central Hurstville until informed by someone yesterday.
“The location of the pre-poll is nothing to do with me but is decided by the NSW Electoral Commission,” he said.
“It is in shop 2 in the Club Central building downstairs. It’s obviously owned by the club but it is not in the club. You can’t have people coming into the club to vote because they are not members.
“Most people wouldn’t even be aware that I am a director,” he said.
“I stood as an independent in 1983 when I was a teacher at Penshurst Marist Brothers. They had a polling booth at the school and no-one saw that as a conflict of interest.
“I got pipped by Marie Ficarra that year anyway.”
A NSW Electoral Commission spokesman said, “This venue was recommended to the NSWEC by the Georges River Council.
“The venue is within the Club Central building. However, the venue is under the club with separate street entry from the licensed premises. The venue meets NSWEC’s requirements for its location, accessibility and other criteria.
“As a lessee of the venue, the NSWEC has exclusive possession of the venue. The landlord or persons connected to the landlord has no influence over the conduct of voting.”
