Donation and expenditure obligations

PLEASE NOTE: This is historic information and is no longer accurate. Please visit Jon Raven for Mayor for up to date information.

The Queensland Government has introduced new reforms to improve the transparency and integrity of local government elections. I welcome the changes and I have been making disclosures on the Electronic Disclosure System since early 2019.

Donations

• As a candidate in a Queensland local government election, I am required to give a disclosure return to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) if I receive a gift or loan valued at $500 or more. I am required to give these returns within 7 business days of receipt, or within 24 hours if I receive the gift/loan within 7 business days before election day.

• These returns are available for public viewing on the ECQ website, and will include all relevant details about the gift, including the name and address of the donor.

• This is required by the Local Government Electoral Act 2011.

• Please visit ECQ’s website if you require further information about my obligations or for the live list of my disclosures.

Expenditure

• As a candidate in a Queensland local government election, I am required to give a disclosure return to the ECQ whenever I make an electoral expenditure. I am required to give these returns within 7 business days of making the expenditure or within 24 hours if I make an expenditure within 7 days before election day.

• Electoral expenditure consist of expenditure incurred on any of the following:

  • broadcasting a political advertisement

  • publishing a political advertisement in a journal (e.g. newspaper, magazine or other periodical)

  • publishing a political advertisement on the internet

  • displaying a political advertisement at a place of entertainment (e.g. movie cinema)

  • producing and distributing any of the political advertisements mentioned above;

  • producing and distributing other material that advocates a vote for or against a candidate, group of candidates or registered political party, and is required to include an authorisation

  • carrying out an opinion poll or other research relating to the election if the dominant purpose of the opinion poll or research is to directly or indirectly:

    • promote or oppose the election of a candidate or group of candidates

    • promote or oppose a registered political party in relation to the election

    • otherwise influence voting at the election

• These returns are available for public viewing on the ECQ website, and will include all relevant details about the expenditure.

• This is required by the Local Government Electoral Act 2011.

• Please visit ECQ’s website if you require further information about my obligations or for the live list of my disclosures.

Further information

• If you would like further information on about the legal obligations of candidates to disclosure their donations and expenditure please visit the main ECQ website: www.ecq.qld.gov.au

• They have a number of fact sheets that explain candidate obligations in detail.

• If you have any concerns that candidates may not be complying with this legislation please contact ECQ on 1300 881 665 or via email at fad@ecq.qld.gov.au