Drama and mass disqualifications have again dominated the University of Wollongong’s recent Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) elections.
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And for the second year running, Young Liberal Jasper Brewer is in the thick of the action.
The Mercury has seen the preliminary election results, which saw a record 1779 votes cast.
These results show that the entire Yes for WUSA team was disqualified for the improper distribution of ‘How to Vote’ material.
Seven of the 11 team members, including presidential candidate Mikayla Barnes (964) actually secured the most votes but missed out on the top job to Chloe Rafferty.
WUSA Returning Officer Vic Miglionico emailed the candidates to notify them that “How to Vote” material was being distributed by the group which had not been authorised by him [returning officer] as required by “Clause 5.3.2 of the WUSA Regulations Governing Elections and Clause 4.2 of the 2018 WUSA Annual General Elections Code of Conduct.
He went on to say “I emailed your nominated contact (Jasper Brewer), however, the unauthorised material continued to be issued until approximately 3pm [October 17].
Mr Miglionico said this only stopped after deputy returning officer Samantha Peace made contact with Mikayla Barnes and personally instructed her to cease distribution of the unauthorised material.
“At the time that distribution ceased, over 50 per cent of the overall tally of votes had been effected. This breach is of significant nature, in accordance with Clause 6.2.1 (c) of the WUSA Regulations Governing Elections,” he said.
This is the second time in as many years Brewer has created drama. Last year the WUSA Appeals Panel found that Brewer and fellow Young Liberal Zachary Fitzpatrick allegedly tried to convince candidates to help overturn the WUSA election results in exchange for positions on the WUSA council.
The Mercury understands Brewer and Jacob Sich sorted and printed the campaign material.
Brewer confirmed to the Mercury that he has been notified of the preliminary outcome of the election.
“As the Returning Officer has requested any details regarding the preliminary result to remain confidential, subject to the outcome of any appeal process, I won’t make comment at this time,” he said.
Bede Crasnich, a former WUSA and Young Liberal representative, said he was extremely disappointed.
The former Wollongong councillor, who is no longer aligned to any political organisation, said he felt sorry for those students who hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Never in my time did anything remotely like this happen, this is symbolic of how bad culture starts,” Mr Crasnich said.
“It only takes one bad apple sadly. I feel for the rest of the students who did the right thing and are now disappointed.
“Reminds me why this gig wasn’t for me.”
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
