Mandurah mayoral hopeful Rhys Williams turns to crowdfunding to pay for campaign

FOR millennials, it has become commonplace to use crowdfunding to support their goals.

But now, a crowdfunding website is being used to open up the political arena in Mandurah.

In a first for the region, mayoral hopeful Rhys Williams is asking residents to donate to his campaign on GoFundMe.

Mr Williams told the Coastal Times he did not want developers and the like donating large sums of money to his campaign and then being beholden to them.

“I don’t want to be influenced in that way,” he said.

And fair enough.

In April, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission began an investigation into claims candidates were funded through inappropriate donations, including from property developers.

What is more, crowdfunding can build community and is easily promoted through social media.

Traditionally a mayoral candidate, who might be working full time, would have to spend precious time canvassing for donations.

This way, Mr Williams can easily reach the 2097 people who have liked his Facebook page.

Also, Mr Williams has already funded one mayoral campaign.

He lost out by two votes to current Mayor Marina Vergone during the 2013 election.

“I want lots of people to contribute a little,” Mr Williams said.

Ultimately, this would leave him indebted to the people of Mandurah.

But how accessible is a mayor going to be to the people who not only voted him in, but also paid for his campaign?

“I want to have 1000 cups of tea with people before the election,” Mr Williams said.

“I want to run a campaign that is different; I don’t want it to be about billboards and promises.”

Mr Williams believes his “well-financed” opponents will outspend him about three to one.

In the end, it will be interesting to see how Mandurah residents respond to this style of council electioneering.

With mayoral voting now open to anyone and not just ratepayers, it stands to be seen if creating a sense of community results in a higher voter turn out.

At the previous election, only 31 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot.

“I’m asking for $5 to $10, just to help out” Mr Williams said.

Will these small donations result in an amount large enough to fund a campaign?

Time will tell, but in seven days Mr Williams has already raised $1840.

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