Perron Group bucks trend

The bulk of Perth’s 30,000 potential business voters might be viewed as apathetic when it comes to going through the motions of getting or maintaining their place on the city’s electoral roll, but at least one major group bucks that trend.

The Perron Group is one that seeks to maximise its voting power, with executives and nominees representing up to 50 votes.

Perron Group managing director Ian Armstrong said that, as a big property owner and ratepayer in the city, including a half share in Central Park, the council’s decisions can have a big impact on the group.

“We do care, councils often control your investments,” he said.

While Mr Armstrong and group founder Stan Perron both live in the city boundaries and register as residents, nominees are sought for the various companies within the group.

“That is the process of democracy, you can’t make a positive difference if you don’t vote,” Mr Armstrong said.

“It would make a difference if all business occupants made sure they had the appropriate right to vote and exercised it with due thought.”

The Perron Group’s registration of voters has been previously approved by the returning officer, he said.

Mr Armstrong said he would like to see a more businesslike approach at council level, including unified support in public for decisions once they have been made.

“What we would like to see would be the council managing multi-million dollar business that is the City of Perth with the expertise and discipline as would a board of directors of a similar sized corporation,” he said.

“A board of directors would not be quibbling over minor issues we see coming out of Council House.

“We would like to see a level of debate elevated beyond what can be worn in the council dining room, where to place bus stops and who can have a parking space outside their business. It needs to be macro, not micro.”

Mr Armstrong said he often invited candidates to present their policies or thinking to him ahead of an election.

Yet, with such comparative voting power in the council elections, he is bemused at how few would-be councillors lobby for the Perron Group’s support at election time – when 50 votes could easily make the difference to the contest’s result.

“It is surprising how few do,” he said.