Postal voting delays election
THE local elections may be fading fast in the memories of those dealing with the effects of a coronavirus-hobbled economy but for some stuck in isolation, the chance to have their say at the polls still has not eventuated.
With the clock counting down for their final submission, postal votes have remained elusive for Cairns residents who have not been able to vote at their polling stations over the weekend.
“I have had mates stuck in isolation who told me ‘I want to vote for you but I can’t and I can’t get through to the Electoral Commission’,” incumbent Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said.
Until postal and phone votes are finally tallied, the official result cannot be declared and Cairns Regional Council remains in caretaker mode.
“It is just taking too long,” Cr Olds said.
“Let us get on with the job.” He has reason to be confident in his continued role as a Cairns councillor – Cr Olds sits on 86.03 per cent of the counted vote.
Time is running out for those who have yet to vote via snail mail.
“To be included in the count, postal votes must be returned to the ECQ by 5pm, April 7. This timeline is outCAIRNS lined in legislation,” an ECQ spokesman said.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam has backed calls for a review of this year’s election.
“There are always lessons to be learnt and this has been an extraordinary time,” he said.
“We would support any review, but the priority right now has to be on ensuring the swift determination of the results to enable these newly elected mayors and councillors to resume the critical role they play in delivering essential community services and leading local disaster responses.”
Cr Olds said until the council was sworn in, it could not get on with planning Cairns’s recovery from COVID-19.
“We are going to have to do everything we can to keep people employed and keep money ticking over” he said.
“Projects like the city master plan could be brought forward and would limit disruption to businesses. We have to make lemonade out of these lemons.”
Yesterday saw some movement in the hotly contested Division 5 – outlying candidate Margie Woodfield clawed her way to 10.13 per cent of the counted ballots.
Amy Eden extended her lead on incumbent Richie Bates with a margin of slightly over 1 per cent.