Voters in key marginal seats have shown they want the next State Government to work in partnership with local government to sustain local jobs and protect the environment over the coming four-year term with thousands visiting the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) ‘vote for local’ website.
The LGAQ can reveal more than 14,000 voters have made use of the Association’s campaign website – www.voteforlocal.com.au – when deciding how to vote in the State Election.
The LGAQ has encouraged voters throughout this election campaign to support the party most committed to working with councils to build stronger local communities.
The ‘vote for local’ website assesses how political parties have responded to the LGAQ’s State Election Priorities, a list of funding and policy initiatives designed to create and support more than 28,000 jobs and generating $4.662 billion in economic activity over the next four years.
Sustaining local jobs was the most searched category, followed by protecting the environment.
The electorate of Bundaberg – currently held by the LNP with a margin of 4.2 percent – was the most searched seat, followed by Maryborough, held by the ALP with a margin of 2.5 percent.
Voters in both seats were most interested in what the parties were promising when it came to jobs.
The suburb of West End, in the marginal Labor-held seat of South Brisbane, was the most searched in South East Queensland, with those website visitors most interested in the commitment of political parties to protecting the environment.
The LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam urged undecided voters who had not yet visited the site to do so.
“The LGAQ wants to ensure Queensland’s next parliament is made up of representatives who recognise the importance of local government and are committed to working respectfully and cooperatively with councils to ensure their communities can thrive, despite the challenges COVID-19 has created,” Mr. Hallam said.
“In tight elections, every vote counts. That is why the LGAQ focussed its campaign on key marginal seats targeted by both the major and minor parties.
“Local government has long been the most trusted level of government. Councils are on the frontline working for local communities every day, so it is not surprising that voters want to understand which party will best support their work.”
Mr. Hallam said the LGAQ had strong engagement with all political parties throughout the campaign with all responding to the Association’s State Election Priorities.
“We are pleased to have secured bipartisan support for key programs like Works for Queensland and our proposed Bush Councils Compact, but we are disappointed neither major party has backed key commitments to advance our First Nations Councils and the communities they represent,” he said.
“Queensland has 17 Indigenous Councils and both major parties need to do more to support their unique needs.”
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Phone: 0438447370
Local Government Association of Queensland