Stirling Hinchliffe
Property developers will be banned from making political donations to local or state government candidates under reforms introduced in State Parliament on Tuesday.
And councillors will be obliged to report fellow councillors if they believe they have a conflict of interest or a material personal interest that they haven’t declared.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the latest reform measures were recommended by the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra Report.
“Prior to the 2017 State Election, the Government was progressing a comprehensive suite of reforms as part of a rolling reform agenda designed to increase transparency, integrity and accountability at both State and Local Government levels,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Building on earlier reforms – such as real-time donation declaration laws – we had before the Parliament two bills aimed at further improving Local Government’s accountability.
“We promised the people of Queensland that these two bills would be reintroduced, were we to be returned to Government, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
Mr Hinchcliffe said Queenslanders should be able to have confidence in their elected representatives.
“We’ve seen too often the risks associated with councillors accepting donations from property developers, and then voting on development applications from those same donors.
“Given the potential for conflicts of interest in these situations, we’re seeking to prohibit political donations from property developers.”
Mr Hinchcliffe said the proposed ban would also apply at the State level.
“The prohibition will apply from October 12, 2017, (the date) when the 2017 bill was introduced.
“Any donations received after that date will have to be repaid to the donor within 30 days of the commencement of the legislation.”
Failure to repay the amount within 30 days from the commencement of the legislation will be an offence potentially punishable by up to two years imprisonment.
“Another key area of the legislation relates to the management of councillor conflicts of interest and where appropriate, also applies to material personal interests,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.
“The new legislation establishes an obligation on councillors to report another councillor’s conflict of interest or material personal interest, where they believe, or suspect on reasonable grounds, that there is an interest that has not been declared.”
Mr Hinchliffe said the State Government supports in principle all 31 recommendations from the CCC to reduce the risk of corruption in councils and strengthen transparency
“We’ve never shied away from our commitment to ensure that elected officials are held accountable for their actions,” he said.
“That’s why we’re pursuing further reforms to give the voters, and all Queenslanders, greater faith in their elected officials and trust that they will represent them with the utmost integrity.”
The Local Government Electoral (Implementing Stage 1 of Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 will amend the City of Brisbane Act 2010, the Electoral Act 1992, the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Electoral Act 2011.
The Bill will now be considered by the Economic and Governance Committee.
