DATA from the 16 contested seats in the Pharmacy Guild of Australia State Branch Committee elections in NSW (12), Victoria (three) and Queensland (one), shows less than half of eligible members cast their vote in the ballot.
Figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) revealed five of the seats were decided by a single vote, including Queensland's Sunshine Coast District, which saw James Lester pip Julianna Neill, with just 39.5% of those on the electoral roll casting a valid ballot.
The NSW Branch constituency of South West Sydney saw the lowest turnout of the contested elections, with just one-in-three Guild members in the region voting, with National Councillor, Catherine Bronger, claiming 75% of the poll.
Across NSW, 555 of 1,197 possible ballots were counted (46%), with the Sydney and Eastern Suburbs seat - won by Richard Walsh, with 63% of the vote - recording the highest percentage turnout nationally, with 71% of members casting their ballot.
The Victorian Branch's District 2 - won by Sam El-Ahmad by one vote - had the second highest turnout, with 57% of members submitting ballots.
Of the 16 contested seats, only six saw more than 50% of voters cast their ballot - four in NSW, including the North Sydney and Northern Beaches district - won by former NSW Branch President, Rick Samimi - the Inner West Sydney seat - claimed by Adele Tahan - and the West and Far West constituency - taken by Luke van der Rijt with 83% of the vote - in addition to the Sydney and Eastern Suburbs area.
Victoria's District 3 - won by Marylin Tsitonakis who claimed almost four of every five votes cast - also recorded more than 50% turnout.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 13 Nov 20
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