“A small number of council candidates are using the upcoming local council elections to grandstand on issues completely unrelated to local government, like the Israel-Hamas conflict. The JCCV urges all council candidates to focus on issues that fall within local government remit and to consider how agitating on international issues may impact social cohesion.

“If voters are concerned with the conduct of a council candidate, they can lodge a complaint with the Victorian Local Government Inspectorate. If candidates themselves are being intimidated or threatened in any way, they should report this conduct to Victoria Police.

“The JCCV urges all voters to carefully research their preferred candidate before voting. Read the material provided with ballot papers and look up your preferred candidates online to ensure their views align with your own.”