Among the changes the LNP is proposing is a removal of caps on donations and expenditure, increasing the donation disclosure amount from $5000 for parties and $2000 for candidates to $12,400, and upping the threshold from 4 per cent to 10 per cent of the vote before political parties received public funding. That last amendment would mean the Greens, which at the last election polled at just under 8 per cent and minor parties, which given Queensland’s unicameral parliamentary system have struggled to win long-term representation, would also struggle to access public funds. But it is the plan to implement a proof of identity requirement for voting which caught the attention of the majority of the 140 people who sent submissions to the parliamentary committee charged with reviewing the bill. Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the introduction of ID at polling booths would cut down on electoral fraud. When introducing the proposal, he said the government would not force voters to show photo ID and a voter information letter the government plans to send Queenslanders advising them of the changes, if they go through, could be used as proof of identity.

But opponents said it would result in those already marginalised sectors of the community, such as the homeless, those who speak English as a second language and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders being denied their democratic right to vote. Director of advocacy and research at the Victoria-based Human Rights Law Centre, Emily Howie, said the identification amendment was “simply unnecessary”, “as there is no evidence of electoral fraud in Queensland”. “Not all people carry ID with them,” she said. “Homeless people for example have difficulty obtaining ID, there is evidence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have difficulty obtaining birth certificates and Medicare cards, there are a whole range of reasons why people may not have identification. “These laws have no evidentiary backing. The Queensland government have provided no evidence that electoral fraud is a real problem there ... so there is just no reason to create this hurdle, in the absence of this evidence.”

Ms Howie said the amendment could result in less people voting, generally. “The right to vote is fundamental to Australian democracy. We have a compulsory voting system and it is really important that as many people cast their vote and make their voice heard on election day as possible. “Unfortunately, we have diminishing participation in the Australian electoral system – 20 per cent of eligible voters didn’t cast a ballot in the 2010 federal election and there is a diminishing participation from young voters as well. “So rather than putting up these barriers to voting, the Queensland government should be assisting people and encouraging people to cast their votes.” A perusal of submissions made to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee found Ms Howie’s view had widespread support from those motivated enough to send through their thoughts.

“You are calling Queenslanders cheats. We are basically an honest people,” Judy Buckley wrote. “We understand the responsibility we have on election day and I object to any government making voting more difficult and onerous than it already is for some members of the voting community, namely, the elderly, the infirm, young people who haven’t yet got licences or other official ID and many others.” Sharon Broughton had a similar view; “The worst impact is most likely to be on those who live in remote communities, those who are elderly, young, disabled, or just move house frequently”. As did submitter Ian Heath: “As many people as possible must be free to vote. Voting should be an easy and stress free democratic process”. The committee will report back to the parliament by February 24. The government can chose whether or not to accept its recommendations and the legislation is expected to be debated by the Parliament in the coming months. Given the government’s massive majority, the final legislation, whatever form it takes, will be passed.