Local government election costs lower than estimated
Published Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The cost of running the 2008 local government elections has come in well below initial estimates, further easing the financial burden on Queensland’s councils.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the elections, which were conducted statewide for the first time by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) this year, had cost about $3 million less than anticipated.
“The ECQ provided the State Government with a preliminary cost estimate of $14.9 million to conduct the 2008 local government elections,” Mr Pitt said.
“However, the actual cost came in at $11.97 million – a saving of about $3 million, or almost 20 per cent.
“When you add the State Government’s contribution towards these running costs of $1.2 million, councils are left with a shared tab of only $10.77 million.
“This means a large number of councils across the state will pay less than expected – in many cases, considerably less.
“Part of the government’s contribution also covers the total cost of the elections in Indigenous councils, which do not have the general revenue-raising capabilities that other councils have.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the elections, which were conducted statewide for the first time by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) this year, had cost about $3 million less than anticipated.
“The ECQ provided the State Government with a preliminary cost estimate of $14.9 million to conduct the 2008 local government elections,” Mr Pitt said.
“However, the actual cost came in at $11.97 million – a saving of about $3 million, or almost 20 per cent.
“When you add the State Government’s contribution towards these running costs of $1.2 million, councils are left with a shared tab of only $10.77 million.
“This means a large number of councils across the state will pay less than expected – in many cases, considerably less.
“Part of the government’s contribution also covers the total cost of the elections in Indigenous councils, which do not have the general revenue-raising capabilities that other councils have.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819