Team Hill’s fines prove legal point

AFTER Team Hill was given two $ 243 fines over breaching electoral disclosure laws, a law expert has weighed into the situation.

University of Queensland’s Professor Graeme Orr said it was important laws were enforced because if they were not they ended up being optional.

“Perhaps the size of the fine is less important than any negative publicity it generates,” he said.

“Disclosure law around Australia suffers from ‘ the horse has bolted’ syndrome.

“The deliberative purpose is lost when disclosure is late or delayed. That’s why more recent moves in Queensland to ‘ real time’ ie: continuous online disclosure is important.”

Team Hill, which Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill headed up, was fined for a late disclosure of a donation from Wingate Properties.

The other fine related to not providing enough detail surrounding three loans that were disclosed at the right time.

The maximum fine for each breach is 20 penalty units. The value of a penalty unit is set by the State Government and goes up gradually each year. As of July 2018, the maximum fine would be $ 2611.

Cr Hill said she was committed to paying the fine herself. The updated information on the loan must be provided by October 12.