In my humble view, it’s ultimately up to the owner who they nominate to represent their interests on the OC.
Well, yes, but there are laws. For instance, real estate agents who are non-owners and who operate in the block aren’t allowed to be nominated in NSW. And committee members who have been nominated by owners who later become unfinancial have to withdraw until such times as the levies have been paid. Two owners from the same lot can’t be elected unless one of them is nominated by another owner who isn’t standing for election.
It’s complicated but there are reasons behind all of these rules, mostly to prevent committees being dominated by cliques and vested interests.
In my block, we had the original architect on the committee for many years, even though she wasn’t an owner, to the great benefit of the building.
Now we have a committee none of the members of which have ever stood in a contested election. They have all been drafted in to fill mid-term vacancies. The chair even encourages people not to retire at the AGM and then wait until after so he can select their replacement without it going to an open vote. This is strata democracy – or the lack thereof – in action.