The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) welcomes the Palaszczuk Government’s announcement it will move swiftly to amend the Local Government Act to retrospectively repeal the provision mandating the automatic election of the runner-up in a mayoral or councillor election if a vacancy occurs within the first 12 months of the term.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson thanked the Government for honouring its commitment to the Association and its member councils.
“We welcome the Government’s announcement of a swift resolution so the people of Rockhampton can choose their next Mayor via a by-election,” Mayor Jamieson said.
Mayor Jamieson implored the Government to ensure any retrospective changes applied not just to mayoral vacancies but to all councillor vacancies within the first 12 months, whether from divided or undivided councils.
A resolution to this effect was carried by member councils at last month’s LGAQ Annual Conference.
Mayor Jamieson thanked Margaret Strelow for her service to the people of Rockhampton for almost two decades.
“Margaret has been a passionate advocate for her community since first being elected to council in 1997,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“This leadership was recognised by the people of Rockhampton who elected Margaret as Mayor from 2000 to 2008 and then again from 2012 until her resignation yesterday.
“On behalf of the LGAQ and myself, I would like to thank Margaret for her service to both her community and to the local government sector as a whole."
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Local Government Association of Queensland