Tony Simpsons: Councils should be non-partisan

It follows several members of metropolitan councils nominating for election at both state and federal level.

Mr Simpson, who did serve on a local government council, said councillors were elected to serve their local community.

“While there is nothing in the Local Government Act that prohibits the endorsement of candidates by political parties, I would not support any moves that would increase the participation of political parties in local government,” he said.

“Councillors are elected to represent their local community and not the views of a single political party.”

But Opposition Leader Mark McGowan, who was deputy mayor of Rockingham before entering Parliament, believed his work there put him in a solid position to represent the community in Parliament.

“Councillors have proven to be good community activists before entering Parliament,” he said.