GLEN Waverley Ward councillor Geoff Lake has become the newest member of the Council of Australian Governments, following his election as president of the Australian Local Government Association.

Cr Lake, previously the ALGA's vice-president, will attend his first meeting of COAG with the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders on Saturday.

'Poet' impresses traders

A GLEN Waverley Ward candidate's way with words has resulted in shopkeepers displaying his campaign poster in Kingsway.

Sin Fong Chan's poetic poster includes gems such as 'Rise in council rate, creating hardship and headache', 'Methods must be found, to cap or turn such increase 'round' and 'With my heart and sole, Sin Fong's perfect for the role'.

Fine 'threat' confusion

SENIORS in Mt Waverley have been reportedly upset and confused by campaign material that was "threatening" them into voting.

Cr Joy Banerji's election leaflets, delivered to households before ballot packs were sent out, comes with a message on the front of the envelope stating: 'Important information about the City of Monash council elections. Voting is compulsory; failure to vote will result in a $50 fine.'

Voting is compulsory for residents on the electoral roll, but voters aged 70 or over are not obliged to vote.

Sitting councillor Tom Morrissey said his phone was "running hot" with phone calls from seniors and their families, who said they couldn't find their ballot packs and were afraid of getting a $50 fine.

Cr Banerji defended her election leaflet, saying it was a "non-issue".

"If you get the ballot papers, even the envelope on the ballot paper says: 'avoid a fine'."

Not a 'dummy'

GLEN Waverley candidate and sitting councillor Dane Manzie confirmed that Ella Hall, who ran at the previous council election and gave her second preference to him, was his sister.

Cr Manzie denied she was a running mate and said his sister was a passionate person with an interest in a number of council issues.

Ms Hall denied she was a "dummy", saying she ran because she was concerned with a number of issues, including the state of footpaths.