Compulsory training for Councillors and candidates and real time disclosure of electoral donations are among the latest in a raft of local government reforms introduced in State Parliament today.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the proposed reforms aim to strengthen transparency, integrity and accountability in all Queensland Councils.
The reforms are contained in the Local Government Electoral (Implementing Stage 2 of Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.
“Mandatory training was one of a number of recommendations from the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra Report,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It requires all candidates at Local Government elections, including sitting Councillors, to undertake training as a condition of their nomination.
“This is about ensuring candidates having a strong understanding of their obligations, both during an election campaign and as a councillor once elected.“
The Bill also mandates full preferential voting for mayoral and single councillor elections, to be effective for the 2020 local government election.
