City of Albany councillor Chris Thomson to face court over alleged postal vote handling at 2019 council election

City of Albany councillor Chris Thomson has been charged with a criminal offence linked to last year’s council election. Cr Thomson beat five other candidates, including incumbent Cr Anthony Moir, to become a councillor for the Yakamia ward at last October’s election. He serves as one of two Yakamia ward councillors, along with veteran councillor and former Nationals WA candidate Robert Sutton. A former public servant and journalist, Cr Thomson has been charged with an offence related to handling postal votes. “Being a candidate in an election, in relation to the election, took custody of an envelope in which there was a postal vote,” the charge reads. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment or a $5000 fine under the Local Government Act. Information about the offence of taking custody of postal votes is highlighted on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website. It was included in the City of Albany and WA Electoral Commission’s 2019 candidate information manuals. “It is unlawful for a candidate (or a person acting on behalf of the candidate) to take custody of or deliver voting papers to the returning officer. The Act provides a severe penalty for this offence,” the WAEC manual said. At the October election, Cr Thomson received 472 votes, in front of candidates Jamie Scally (243), Anthony Moir (235), Allen Smith (220), Kylie Freer (177) and Alastair Dowling (99). After his victory, he told the Advertiser he believed his background would make him an asset to the council. “I’ve been to almost as many council meetings as I’ve had cut lunches all over the State and particularly here in Albany so just in terms of procedure, focus on the details of documents, I think I’ve got something to bring,” he said in October. Cr Thomson is a former journalist with the Great Southern Weekender and the now-defunct Voice of the South. He is due to appear in the Albany Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, July 29. Cr Thomson and the City of Albany were contacted for comment.