The Palaszczuk Government’s decision to walk back proposed major changes to the way people vote at local council elections was very welcome, Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam said.
Mr Hallam said the major driver of the LGAQ’s opposition to the Government’s proposals was to protect the interests of Queensland voters.
“We are pleased the Government has shifted its position on some of the issues it was proposing.”
“While the Government remains committed to certain changes that will impact the conduct of next year’s local government elections, the scope of these plans has shrunk.”
“Compulsory preferential voting will only apply to elections for all mayors and for councillors in divided councils, while proportional representation will not be a feature of next year’s poll.”
“The Government has also agreed that plans for campaign spending caps and public funding of election campaigns need further consultation.”
“The proposal to dual candidacy for the positions of mayor and councillor has been dropped.”
Mr Hallam said the LGAQ had always had a good working relationship with successive state governments while keeping the interests of its members paramount.
“We look forward to working with the Palaszczuk Government in pursuing good public policy that advances the interests all Queenslanders,” he said.
Mr Hallam said the general meeting of LGAQ members to discuss the Government’s proposed changes would still go ahead as the sector remained keen to debate the implications of the plans.