- Crisafulli Government is restoring a level playing field for donations and banning criminals serving lengthy prison sentences from voting.
- Authorisations will be required on political advertising during the 12-months leading up to polling day, to enhance truth in political advertising.
- Trade unions and property developers restored to a level playing field for donations, fulfilling an election commitment.
- Criminals serving a prison sentence of one year or longer will be banned from voting at state and local government elections.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on an election commitment to level the playing field and restore fairness in Queensland's electoral system, with a suite of changes to state electoral laws introduced into Parliament today.
In line with the Government's commitment to put victims first, criminals serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention for one year or more will no longer be able to vote in state and local government elections, or referendums.
Currently, prisoners are ineligible to vote at state or local government elections if serving a sentence of three years or more.
The Crisafulli Government will also fulfill an election commitment to restore a level playing field for donations, making trade unions and property developers both eligible to donate to state election campaigns.
Labor's ban on property developer donations at a state level was always at odds with Recommendation 20 of the Crime and Corruption Commission's Operation Belcarra Report, which focused on local government elections.
The existing ban on property developers donating to local government election campaigns remains in place and has been strengthened, with a new offence for breaching the rules to be introduced.
Reforms to enhance integrity around advertising will require authorisations on all political advertising in the 12-months before polling day, promoting transparency and ensuring Queenslanders know who is behind political advertisements.
The Bill will make political donation cap periods annualised in alignment with New South Wales and the Commonwealth, while loans from regulated lenders for campaign expenses will be permitted.
Party pre-selection ballots will also be conducted independently, consistent with the approach of every other jurisdiction in the country.
The Bill will go through the usual committee processes, before being debated in the Parliament next year.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the reforms would deliver a fairer electoral system.
"Law breakers shouldn't get to elect our law makers," she said.
"We're determined to prioritise victims and those who disregard the law by committing serious crimes should not have the opportunity to vote.
"Trade unions and property developers will once again have a level playing field for donations, restoring fairness for all involved in our electoral system, just as we promised."
