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A New Local Government Electoral Act: Review of the Local Government Electoral System (Excluding BCC)

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A New Local Government Electoral Act: Review of the Local Government Electoral System (Excluding BCC) LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF QUEENSLAND LAW, JUSTICE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE A new Local Government Electoral Act: Review of the local government electoral system (excluding BCC) NOVEMBER 2010 REPORT NO. 78 LAW, JUSTICE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 53RD PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE Chair Ms Barbara Stone MP, Member for Springwood Deputy Chair Mr Andrew Cripps MP, Member for Hinchinbrook Members Mr Jarrod Bleijie MP, Member for Kawana Mr Steve Kilburn MP, Member for Chatsworth Mr Ray Stevens MP, Member for Mermaid Beach Mr Murray Watt MP, Member for Everton Hon. Dean Wells MP, Member for Murrumba SECRETARIAT Acting Research Director Ms Renee Easten Principal Research Officer1 Ms Amanda Honeyman Executive Assistant Mrs Gail Easton Copies of this report and other Committee publications are available on the Committee’s website at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/jjsc Law, Justice and Safety Committee Parliament House George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone: (07) 3406 7307 Facsimile: (07) 3406 7070 Email: [email protected] 1 The Committee thanks Ms Simone Gregory for her research assistance with this report. CHAIR’S FOREWORD Local Government is often described as the level of government that is closest to the people. With this closeness comes an expectation from communities that their elected representatives will be responsive to their needs, will strive in their best interests, and will be accountable to them. The most consistent message the Committee heard across Queensland is that people want representation. They want to know who their local representatives are and to be able to contact their councillors when they need them. They want their local councillors to understand the needs of their particular area, to provide effective representation of the community’s needs and to be held accountable in fulfilling their duties as an elected representative. The Committee heard that where large councils are undivided, the ‘local’ element of local government can become lost. The Committee recognises these concerns and has addressed the issue of divisional arrangements in chapter 4 of this report. Although community focus was on the issue of divided and undivided councils, media attention was given to the different voting systems applying at different levels of government. This stemmed from comments made by the Australian Electoral Commission in the wake of the recent Federal Election that inconsistency of voting systems between the different levels of government has contributed to an increase in informal voting. The Committee’s consideration of voting systems is in chapter 13 of this report. The Committee also heard numerous calls for consistency and harmonisation of electoral arrangements across all levels of government. A number of the Committee’s recommendations support a move towards harmonisation of electoral arrangements. In closing, I thank all those who assisted the Committee in its inquiry and I also thank the many people within local government for their hard work and commitment to their local areas. Ms Barbara Stone MP Chair A new Local Government Electoral Act: Page i Review of the local government electoral system (excluding BCC) A new Local Government Electoral Act: Page ii Review of the local government electoral system (excluding BCC) TABLE OF CONTENTS Chair’s Foreword ......................................................................................................................i Recommendations ..................................................................................................................1 1. The Committee and this Inquiry ..........................................................................................5 2. Consultation ........................................................................................................................6 2.1 Briefings.................................................................................................................6 3. Background .........................................................................................................................7 3.1 Electoral and Administrative Review Commission Report.....................................7 3.2 Parliamentary Committee for Electoral and Administrative Review.......................7 3.3 The Local Government Electoral Act and recent reforms......................................8 3.3.1 The Local Government Reform Commission.............................................8 3.3.2 Local Government Act 2009 ......................................................................9 4. Divisions............................................................................................................................10 4.1 Current provisions................................................................................................10 4.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................11 4.3 What the Committee heard..................................................................................14 4.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................17 5. Conduct of Elections .........................................................................................................19 5.1 Current provisions................................................................................................19 5.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................19 5.3 What the Committee heard..................................................................................19 5.4 The cost of local government elections ...............................................................20 5.5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................22 6. Timing of Elections............................................................................................................24 6.1 Current provisions................................................................................................24 6.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................24 6.3 What the Committee heard..................................................................................25 6.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................26 7. Candidates ........................................................................................................................28 7.1 Current provisions................................................................................................28 7.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................29 7.3 What the Committee heard..................................................................................29 7.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................32 8. Campaign funding and disclosure .....................................................................................34 8.1 Current provisions................................................................................................34 A new Local Government Electoral Act: Page iii Review of the local government electoral system (excluding BCC) 8.2 Requirements for candidates for Queensland’s Legislative Assembly ................34 8.3 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................36 8.4 What the Committee heard..................................................................................39 8.5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................40 9. Electoral Signage ..............................................................................................................42 9.1 Current provisions................................................................................................42 9.2 State and Federal provisions...............................................................................42 9.3 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................43 9.4 What the Committee heard..................................................................................45 9.5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................48 10. Compulsory Voting ..........................................................................................................50 10.1 Current provisions................................................................................................50 10.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................50 10.3 What the Committee heard..................................................................................51 10.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................52 11. Pre-Poll, Absent and Postal Voting .................................................................................53 11.1 Current provisions................................................................................................53 11.2 Other Australian jurisdictions...............................................................................54
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