Only two weeks left to enrol to vote in local government elections
Published Sunday, 20 January, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Queenslanders have just two weeks left to enrol to vote in the historic local government elections, which will take place on March 15.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt encouraged all Queenslanders to make sure they were enrolled to vote as the polling day marked a major milestone in the State Government’s reform process.
“The election rolls close on January 31 and it is absolutely vital that the community has a say about who will be governing their local government areas,” Mr Pitt said.
“Every vote counts towards the outcome, so I urge people to make sure they are enrolled to vote.
“Enrolling is easy – people just need to contact the Queensland Electoral Commission or the Australian Electoral Commission, and the enrolment forms are available on their websites and at all post offices.
“Voting is compulsory, and will be conducted through either a postal ballot or traditional ballot on the day.
“If you voted in the recent federal election you do not need to re-enrol unless you have moved house, in which case, you will need to complete a new enrolment form.”
Queenslanders will vote in 73 local government areas. Of these, 38 are existing councils, 31 are new councils, and four are existing councils with changed boundaries.
“People will be voting to elect 73 mayors and 480 councillors who will represent them and take their councils forward into the future,” Mr Pitt said.
“This government is building a new, stronger system of local government and getting the best possible outcomes for local communities.”
Mr Pitt said the reform process was changing the face of local government in Queensland.
“March 15 will be the first day of the newly merged councils and every effort is being made to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.
“Following the elections, we will see better reporting and transparent performance monitoring to ensure ratepayers have a good understanding of how their rates are being spent.”
The Queensland Electoral Commission will be releasing information regarding how the elections will be run in each local government area.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819 or 0417 789 208
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt encouraged all Queenslanders to make sure they were enrolled to vote as the polling day marked a major milestone in the State Government’s reform process.
“The election rolls close on January 31 and it is absolutely vital that the community has a say about who will be governing their local government areas,” Mr Pitt said.
“Every vote counts towards the outcome, so I urge people to make sure they are enrolled to vote.
“Enrolling is easy – people just need to contact the Queensland Electoral Commission or the Australian Electoral Commission, and the enrolment forms are available on their websites and at all post offices.
“Voting is compulsory, and will be conducted through either a postal ballot or traditional ballot on the day.
“If you voted in the recent federal election you do not need to re-enrol unless you have moved house, in which case, you will need to complete a new enrolment form.”
Queenslanders will vote in 73 local government areas. Of these, 38 are existing councils, 31 are new councils, and four are existing councils with changed boundaries.
“People will be voting to elect 73 mayors and 480 councillors who will represent them and take their councils forward into the future,” Mr Pitt said.
“This government is building a new, stronger system of local government and getting the best possible outcomes for local communities.”
Mr Pitt said the reform process was changing the face of local government in Queensland.
“March 15 will be the first day of the newly merged councils and every effort is being made to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.
“Following the elections, we will see better reporting and transparent performance monitoring to ensure ratepayers have a good understanding of how their rates are being spent.”
The Queensland Electoral Commission will be releasing information regarding how the elections will be run in each local government area.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819 or 0417 789 208