’Make me councillor’
Grazier lays claim to seat
A GRAZIER has called on the Townsville City Council to begin the process for her appointment as a councillor to provide effective representation to the people of Division 10.
But the council is falling into line with Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe who says the government will retrospectively amend the Local Government Act to require a byelection rather than an appointment.
Fran O’callaghan, of Mount Flagstaff Station, is next in line to be appointed to the council after the previous Division 10 councillor Les Walker vacated the seat after being elected as the new state Member for Mundingburra on October 31.
Under the current law, a vacancy occurring within 12 months of the council election – as is the case here – is filled by seeking the appointment of the runner-up.
Ms O’callaghan is that runner-up and in an open letter to the council’s CEO says he must follow the law and ask the Electoral Commission of Queensland to give her a vacancy notice. “The ECQ have advised in the media they do not believe any by-elections can be held until early next year,” she said. “This means I must be installed as councillor for Division 10 prior to any legislative changes.”
A Townsville council spokeswoman said local governments supported the Local Government Association of Queensland regarding the reinstatement of the legislation to fill council vacancies as it was at the time of the March 2020 local government election.
“Townsville City Council acknowledges the announcement by the state government that a by-election will be held to fill councillor vacancies – including to elect a new Division 10 councillor – and wishes all potential candidates the best,” the spokeswoman said.
Mr Hinchliffe said this week replacements for former Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow and Mr Walker would be picked through a “proper” vote.
“Once the new parliament is sworn in, the Palaszczuk government will introduce and pass a bill to retrospectively amend the Local Government Act,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “Any vacancies to any mayoral or councillor positions that have recently arisen will need to be filled through a by-election.”