Qld Government considers scrapping compulsory voting

Updated

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Qld Government prompts backlash with Electoral Act review (7pm TV News QLD)

A review of Queensland's electoral laws will consider making voting at state elections voluntary.

A new discussion paper released by Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie canvasses views on electoral reforms ranging from scrapping compulsory voting to public funding of elections.

Mr Bleijie says the State Government has no firm position on scrapping compulsory voting.

"There's arguments in favour of compulsory voting - that is no-one should whinge about governments they elect because they all had the chance to vote," he said.

"The options against it is, the people who don't want to vote, they say we have the right not to vote."

The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) says it will oppose any move to scrap compulsory voting in state elections.

QCU president John Battams says voting is a responsibility, as well as a right.

"It's been a tenet of democracy in Australia for almost 100 years and we think compulsory voting is appropriate for our particular society," he said.

"Citizens have rights and responsibilities and it's been a long-held belief that one of the responsibilities is to participate in the democratic process."

Mr Battams says Queenslanders would prefer to hear how the Government is going to create jobs.

"I think they should get on with governing Queensland, rather than flying kites to take people's minds away from the key issues," he said.

Political donations

The review will also consider a ban on political donations from corporations and unions.

Mr Bleijie says the priority is the former Bligh government's amendments on political donations.

He says Labor's amendments in 2011 were rushed through without consultation.

Mr Bleijie says now is the ideal time for reform.

"The Labor government, when they were in administration, in 2001 moved some amendments which were really abhorrent," he said.

Mr Bleijie says the issue of political donations needs more debate.

"Some say that it stymies any influence of political decision-making from people who are donating and expecting something in return," he said.

"The arguments against it - obviously is that it's a free and democratic world, why should people not be able to donate their money where the want to donate their money."

The review will consider removing or changing the cap on political donations and whether there should be more immediate disclosure.

Mr Bleijie says restricting political donations to individuals removes the spectre of undue influence from corporations or unions.

"If you have this law, then it should apply to everyone - not give exclusions because it might support one political party over another," he said.

Mr Bleijie says he also wants feedback on banning donations from organisations such as unions, or whether those political donations should be subject to a membership vote.

"These people pay a lot of money to be members of unions and other organisations," he said.

That has angered Mr Battams.

"Even in the worst years of the Howard government, there was no attempt to restrict what trade unions could do in terms of donating money," he said.

Submissions will be accepted until March 1.

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