Local councils have thanked the Palaszczuk Government for dropping plans to introduce compulsory preferential voting into council elections, saying it was a sign of a listening Government.
Local Government Association of Queensland President and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the move, which will ensure the retention of optional preferential voting for next year’s council elections, ensuring voters have as much control over their vote as they like.
Mayor Jamieson told delegates at the LGAQ’s annual conference in Cairns that the Government deserved applause for heeding the concerns of local councils.
The Government’s move to drop compulsory preferential voting for council elections follows a strong campaign by the LGAQ against the proposal.