I was excited, for an instant in October 2019, when I read this breaking news caption “Nation-leading reforms to Queensland’s electoral system will make elections fairer, transparent and just!” but most changes didn’t apply to local government. Several legislative improvements were introduced – a ban on donations from property developers, a requirement for disclosure of donations $500 or more, and some changes to remove undue influence of elected representatives. But they didn’t go far enough. These few amendments make little difference and worse, I believe they actually reduced fairness and transparency by sending the activities they intended to discourage, underground.
It seemed incredulous that polling in the recent council election proceeded in the midst of coronavirus threat. Fortunately, it appears that no community transmission resulted, and several good things resulted from the experience:
We saw how polling booths can be managed better;
The Premier announced that the next State election will be conducted by postal voting; and
There is growing impetus to expedite introduction of electronic voting.
With these transitions to voting procedures in mind, I have made a list of 11 suggestions to help make future council elections fairer and genuinely representative. They are discrete, but interrelated, and should be considered as a package.
Limits on election expenditure, including traditional and paid digital advertising
Disqualification for non-disclosure of expenditure and support, financial or otherwise from political or third parties.
Identification of printing source on flyers and mailbox materials.
No election posters, corflutes, mobile signs or billboards anywhere.
Councils to provide a large board, clearly visible to voters at the entry of polling booths, for display of A1 posters provided by candidates.
Councils to administer an election webpage as a single, official source of information about candidates: photo, profile (max 100 words), statement (max 500 words), contact details - and Electoral Commission to provide URL for this page when issuing postal ballot papers.
Councils to host (and webcast) mayoral and divisional meet-the-candidate forums in public venues (between closing date for nominations and start of pre-polling).
Raise the bar for candidature: application fee $1000 (reimbursable to candidates who poll over 5%), required number of endorsements 100 electors - to encourage only genuine candidates.
First past the post - scrap preferential voting.
No candidates or supporters at polling booths (or limit pre-polling to 1 week only).
Maximum two consecutive terms for mayor and councillors.