Australian Election Commission officials are running final eligibility checks on the list of nominees for the PIAA board elections before an official list of candidates is announced.
Nominations closed at 4pm yesterday, with a late spanner thrown into the process when Victorian-based board member Kellie Northwood decided at the last minute that she would not be putting her name forward.
In a statement, Northwood said: “It is with some regret that I am stepping down from the PIAA Board position, however based on several commitments I didn’t feel I could provide the commitment required. I wish the Board all the very best in the year ahead and thank those who have supported me, ACA and TSA over the past period, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people and enjoyed learning more about our passionate and dedicated industry."
PIAA president Kieran May says the news came as a surprise but wasn't entirely unexpected. "Kellie obviously thought long and hard about it and that's why it was a late decision. She talked it over with IPMG, who nominated her for the board, then decided it was best that she step down. Kellie wanted to put up her hand but felt she wouldn't be able to do the job properly because of her many other commitments. She told me, 'If I can't be all in, then it's best that I don't do it.'"
The peak body is now in danger of having no Victorian representative.
"I made a couple of calls into Melbourne over the past couple of days, trying to drum up some interest," said May, speaking yesterday after the close of nominations. "I spoke to a couple of people who said they'd think about it but then rang back later and said they wouldn't be nominating. But others in Victoria have shown interest. Also, I've spoken to a couple of people in Tasmania and they indicated they were keen to nominate.
There's no indication yet as to when the official list of candidates will be known.
"I have no idea," says May. "It's all being handled by the AEC and they're now in contact with the nominees and checking all of their details against the list of financial members, and making sure that they've been nominated by a current financial member.
"I can tell you that all of the existing directors, with exception of Craig Pearce of Tasmania, who resigned last month, and Kellie, who has not nominated, everyone else is putting their name forward."
In a statement to members earlier this week, May said: There is an election process underway to install nine directors to lead your Association for the next two years. The current board has stabilised and is committed to the members. While there will be, by necessity, a new face or two next year, most of the existing board members will seek reappointment. It will be a good thing to see them returned.