Councils buck State Government on new voting system

The Courier-Mail

QUEENSLAND councils are bracing themselves for another fight after the State Government yesterday directed a parliamentary committee to investigate introducing a Senate-style voting system into local government.

Under the proportional representation system, the number of formal votes is divided by the number of available seats plus one vote.

Political scientist Dr Paul Williams said if this system was introduced into local government, it could spell the end of popular mayors unless a separate voting system was used to elect them.

Yesterday Leader of the House Judy Spence moved a motion in State Parliament directing the Law, Justice and Safety Committee to review the local government electoral process, including investigating the feasibility of proportional representation.

Sources say the State Government is pursuing the move because of pressure from the Greens, who stand to benefit from its introduction.

It has outraged southeast Queensland councils, who have called on the State Government to scrap the review.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale yesterday led a chorus of unrest over the decision to investigate the option, which he said would fragment councils and leave communities exposed to councillors who were interested only in furthering their political careers.

"It's absolutely rubbish. I would fight to my last ounce of breath if they try to change a fantastic model," he said.

Fellow Ipswich councillor Paul Tully said the proportional voting system would allow "River" community groups to gain a seat on council based on a single issue rather than on their ability to represent their community as a whole.

"It would be the worst thing to happen to local government in Queensland," Cr Tully said.

Logan Mayor Cr Pam Parker said she would be making a submission against the proposal as it would open the door to party politics.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said his council also opposed the PR system.

Currently about 30 per cent of councillors in Queensland are politically aligned.

Local Government Association of Queensland executive director Greg Hallam said proportional representation was considered the most democratic system but he was concerned that it could lead to instability within councils. 

Mr Hallam said currently there were no other councils that used the system in Australia.