The Local Government Association of Queensland has unveiled its first State Election report card, revealing the field is wide open with a lot of ground to cover for all political parties in the 50 days to go until polling day on October 31.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said both major parties had a way to go to meet the priorities local communities need to create 29,000 jobs and generate $4.6 billion in economic activity over the next term.
Mayor Jamieson today released the first report card of the campaign as well as the LGAQ’s election website, urging Queenslanders to #VoteForLocal at the coming State Election.
“Strong councils mean stronger local communities,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“As the level of government closest to the people, councils are best placed to deliver tailored economic stimulus to local communities where they need it most.
“This election we are asking Queenslanders to decide their vote by considering what is best for their local community.”
From today, voters can head to www.voteforlocal.com.au, type in their suburb, choose an issue that is important to them – and view a scorecard rating the parties based on their commitment to Queensland local government priorities including:
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Sustaining local jobs
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Strengthening our regions
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Keeping communities safe
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Protecting the environment
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Supporting the bush
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Advancing First Nations Councils
Mayor Jamieson said the LGAQ had a strong plan to assist Queensland’s economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Queensland councils have endorsed a set of election priorities that will support 29,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate $4.6 billion worth of economic activity.
“We are offering the next Queensland Government a partnership for economic recovery that will reach every town and city across the state.”
Mayor Jamieson said the LGAQ had undertaken a baseline assessment of each political party and their commitments to the local government sector to date.
“Our ‘Vote for Local’ campaign ranks the major parties according to their commitment to our local community election priorities,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“At this stage we have given the ALP an overall mark of C and the LNP a B-. We consider both major parties have a lot of room for improvement. We look forward to them improving these marks as the campaign progresses and more commitments are announced.
“We have also engaged with Queensland’s minor parties who may hold the balance of power after the October 31 poll.
“The Katter’s Australian Party has provided a comprehensive response to the LGAQ’s 2020 Election Priorities. While the party has not supported every initiative, we do hope to engage further with them to better define their support, particularly in the areas of protecting the environment and advancing First Nations councils.
“For the next 50 days the LGAQ will continue to engage with political leaders to make sure they take notice of what local communities need.
“We will also be taking our message to the broader Queensland community to demonstrate the link between their vote and securing the needs of their local communities.”
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Local Government Association of Queensland
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Party |
Overall Mark |
Overall Mark Rationale |
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ALP |
C |
This mark acknowledges the Government’s partnership with local government over the current term and its strong response to the LGAQ’s COVID-19 Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities, which has provided councils with access to more than $340 million in stimulus funding. However, the LGAQ is concerned the Government has not been willing to respond to the LGAQ’s 2020 Election Priorities. While the LGAQ anticipates the ALP’s overall mark will increase as the campaign progresses, the party does risk going backwards if it does not provide a comprehensive response to the LGAQ about our sector’s priorities for the coming term in a timely manner. |
|
LNP |
B- |
This mark acknowledges the LNP Opposition’s early support for the LGAQ’s COVID-19 Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities. The LNP has provided an initial response to the LGAQ’s 2020 Election Priorities, indicating its willingness to work with councils as a strategic partner in Queensland’s economic recovery. The LNP has also indicated support for, or a willingness to discuss, several of our State Election priorities including our request for a Bush Councils Compact with Government. Based on the LNP’s initial response, the LGAQ anticipates the party’s mark will improve as more election commitments are released. |
|
KAP |
B |
The Katter Party has provided a comprehensive response to the LGAQ’s 2020 State Election priorities indicating which initiatives and programs it will fight for should the party form part of a minority government. The KAP have not supported every initiative put to them by the LGAQ and we will seek to engage further with the party to better define their support of our priorities particularly in the areas of Protecting the Environment and Advancing First Nations Councils. |
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The Greens |
D |
The LGAQ was encouraged by The Green’s openness to considering our 2020 State Election priorities at an initial meeting with party representatives. However, the party has not yet formally responded to our requests for support and, as such, the LGAQ is unable to allocate a higher mark to The Greens at this time. |
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ONP |
F |
One Nation has not responded to the LGAQ’s requests to meet to discuss local government priorities for the 2020 State Election, nor have they provided us with any formal response indicating support for these priorities. |
Authorised by G Hallam, LGAQ, 25 Evelyn Street Newstead