Hope of ‘cleaner’ elections

who are independently wealthy having a much greater advantage next time around,” the Bulletin was told.

Dr Williams said the changes would mean candidates would be forced to fall back on grassroots tactics rather than rely on cashed-up support.

“They will have to think about how to campaign more strategically but good campaigns can be run relatively inexpensively, especially at a grassroots local government level,” he said.

“It’s all about meet and greet, pressing the flesh, doorknocking and working with the local media and that is the sort of thing which can cost very little.”

Councillors and mayors who have been charged with serious offences will now be automatically suspended under the reforms.

Griffith University adjunct professor Steven Stockwell said the new laws would provide greater certainty for candidates, as well as those considering donating, well in advance of the next council poll, due in March 2020.

“This tells them what the rules are, what’s in, what’s out and will encourage people to have some greater confidence in the political process,” he said.

“As we have seen there have been large gaps in the system and the result is that people have crossed the line, either intentionally or out of ignorance.

“This can only be a good thing on the Gold Coast where development has been somewhat of a wild west for the past 50 years.”