The introduction of expenditure caps for Queensland local government elections would be a welcome reform to the way councillors are elected, Peregian Beach Community Association president Barry Cotterell said this week.
Commenting on the release of a recent discussion paper on local government electoral expenditure caps, Mr Cotterell, a retired barrister, said such a reform would strengthen the transparency, accountability and integrity of local government elections.
“The Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra identified a number of opportunities to further enhance the quality of local government in Queensland through reforms, including the way councillors are elected,” he said.
“The Operation Belcarra Report found that good government requires elections to be contested on a level playing field, with equal participation available to all.
“The need for complete transparency in elections is also essential to ensure confidence in the system.”
The recent Federal election has again highlighted disquiet in the community as to the huge amounts spent on many electoral contests and the potential influence of large corporate or private donations.
The Peregian Beach Community Association supports the establishment of a sliding scale of electoral expenditure caps based on the number of electors in the relevant ward / division or local government area.
Based on the number of electors enrolled in 2020, Noosa Shire would fall into the Band 2 category which would mean that the expenditure cap for mayoral candidates would be $40,724.
In the Noosa Shire, candidates for councillor positions would fall within the Band 3 category and would be faced with a $30,000 cap on electoral expenditure.
“Reducing the amount of money mayoral and councillor candidates can expend on their election campaigns ensures a more level playing field and will provide more confidence in the electoral process,” Mr Cotterell said.
