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Town of Bassendean election candidates express safety fears over releasing addresses

Kate LeaverEastern Reporter

TWO Town of Bassendean candidates cited security concerns as the reason they listed the Town’s council chambers address on campaign material instead of home addresses.

Despite the fact they both live in the Town, Jessica Strauss and George Copley printed campaign flyers and information with the address of the council building on Old Perth Road.

They said it was based on “incorrect advice” and had since been corrected.

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Ms Strauss said an ID code to authorise election material could be a better option in future to protect personal privacy.

“I felt really uncomfortable with having my own home address on the information; with social media it is just so easy for your home address to get in the hands of many people, unlike previous election campaigns,” she said.

“There is that risk that someone, if they got angry enough, might confront you at your home address.

“It was a misunderstanding and I apologise to those who were upset by it. I explained to the returning officer who was happy with the explanation.”

A WA Electoral Commission spokesman said candidates needed to provide their enrolled address and postal address on the nomination form but it did not need to be included on their published WAEC candidate profiles.

“There is nothing in the electoral provisions of the Act to preclude a candidate providing the council chambers address on their election material, although it may require the approval of the CEO depending on local arrangements,” he said.

Five out of 12 Town of Bassendean candidates chose to include their postal addresses on the WAEC electoral profiles.

Only seven out of 32 City of Stirling candidates listed a residential address on their profiles published on the WAEC website.

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