Published Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Survey confirms council elections a success
An independent survey of voters who took part in this year’s local government elections has dispelled the notion that the elections were adversely affected by amalgamations.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today released the results of the independent research at a parliamentary Estimates Committee hearing in Brisbane.
Mr Pitt told the committee that the survey results clearly showed that criticism about the management of the March 15 elections by opponents of amalgamation was unjustified.
“This research proves conclusively that, by and large, the running of the elections was no different in the eyes of Queensland residents from any other previous local, state or federal election,” Mr Pitt said.
For the first time in Queensland’s history, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) managed all local government elections, a role previously fulfilled primarily by councils.
“While there were some initial teething problems, which can be understood given the scope and complexity of the elections, the survey results confirm that ECQ’s handling of the elections was excellent,” Mr Pitt said.
“I can advise the committee today that I intend making legislative changes, as part of the review of the Local Government Act, to ensure that the ECQ continues to manage local government elections in the future.
“By doing this, we can assure Queensland voters of the continued impartiality of the electoral process.”
The survey of voters was conducted by Queensland firm Market Facts, which contacted 1000 voters, across all 73 council areas, by phone. Key findings include:
• 99 per cent of people who voted in person did not experience any difficulties in lodging their vote
• 95 per cent of respondents that lodged a pre-poll vote said they had received their ballot paper on time.
• only four people (0.4 per cent) surveyed claimed they did not receive enough information to place their pre-poll vote
• only 1 per cent of all people surveyed had difficulties accessing the ECQ website
• only three people (0.3 per cent) of all people surveyed experienced difficulties trying to contact the ECQ by telephone.
“These results clearly show that the ECQ’s hosting of the elections was very successful and certainly on a par, if not better, than comparable elections such as the council-hosted elections in 2004,” Mr Pitt said.
“It should be noted that the 2004 council-run elections were far from controversy-free.
“The department received numerous complaints about issues such as council policing of electoral signage under local laws, the integrity of returning officers, the postal ballot process and electoral gifts.
“The survey results did highlight some inconsistencies with some of the voting procedures and we will work with the ECQ to ensure that in future, the local government election process aligns with state and federal electoral processes.
“For example, we know that 28 of the 73 council elections were run by postal ballot only, meaning that voters could not engage in attendance voting at a local school or hall.
“That’s something we need to address in future elections.
“I don’t see any reason why attendance voting cannot apply across the board to local government elections in the same way that it does for federal and state elections.
“It’s pleasing to see that ECQ’s actual costs for conducting the elections have come in more than $3 million lower than original estimates, so all the negative hype around the electoral process has been shown to be largely that – hype.
“I look forward to working with ECQ over coming months and years to improve the process of local government elections for all Queensland voters,” he said.
The report is available online at the Department of Local Government’s website.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today released the results of the independent research at a parliamentary Estimates Committee hearing in Brisbane.
Mr Pitt told the committee that the survey results clearly showed that criticism about the management of the March 15 elections by opponents of amalgamation was unjustified.
“This research proves conclusively that, by and large, the running of the elections was no different in the eyes of Queensland residents from any other previous local, state or federal election,” Mr Pitt said.
For the first time in Queensland’s history, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) managed all local government elections, a role previously fulfilled primarily by councils.
“While there were some initial teething problems, which can be understood given the scope and complexity of the elections, the survey results confirm that ECQ’s handling of the elections was excellent,” Mr Pitt said.
“I can advise the committee today that I intend making legislative changes, as part of the review of the Local Government Act, to ensure that the ECQ continues to manage local government elections in the future.
“By doing this, we can assure Queensland voters of the continued impartiality of the electoral process.”
The survey of voters was conducted by Queensland firm Market Facts, which contacted 1000 voters, across all 73 council areas, by phone. Key findings include:
• 99 per cent of people who voted in person did not experience any difficulties in lodging their vote
• 95 per cent of respondents that lodged a pre-poll vote said they had received their ballot paper on time.
• only four people (0.4 per cent) surveyed claimed they did not receive enough information to place their pre-poll vote
• only 1 per cent of all people surveyed had difficulties accessing the ECQ website
• only three people (0.3 per cent) of all people surveyed experienced difficulties trying to contact the ECQ by telephone.
“These results clearly show that the ECQ’s hosting of the elections was very successful and certainly on a par, if not better, than comparable elections such as the council-hosted elections in 2004,” Mr Pitt said.
“It should be noted that the 2004 council-run elections were far from controversy-free.
“The department received numerous complaints about issues such as council policing of electoral signage under local laws, the integrity of returning officers, the postal ballot process and electoral gifts.
“The survey results did highlight some inconsistencies with some of the voting procedures and we will work with the ECQ to ensure that in future, the local government election process aligns with state and federal electoral processes.
“For example, we know that 28 of the 73 council elections were run by postal ballot only, meaning that voters could not engage in attendance voting at a local school or hall.
“That’s something we need to address in future elections.
“I don’t see any reason why attendance voting cannot apply across the board to local government elections in the same way that it does for federal and state elections.
“It’s pleasing to see that ECQ’s actual costs for conducting the elections have come in more than $3 million lower than original estimates, so all the negative hype around the electoral process has been shown to be largely that – hype.
“I look forward to working with ECQ over coming months and years to improve the process of local government elections for all Queensland voters,” he said.
The report is available online at the Department of Local Government’s website.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819