Queensland council elections will be ‘major mixing event’

The nation’s deputy chief medical officer has warned Queensland this weekend’s council elections are ‘a major mixing event’ that could potentially spread the coronavirus, but the Premier is adamant the show will go on. WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW

ONE of the nation’s top doctors has warned the local government elections this weekend would be a “major mixing event” for the coronavirus.

COMMENT: FINE ME FOR VOTE NO-SHOW, I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT

DO I STILL NEED TO VOTE THIS WEEKEND?

The Federal Government announced last night major restrictions, closing more businesses, urging an end to backyard barbecues and dinner parties, while weddings are limited to five people and funerals to 10 people.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW

Despite this the elections across Queensland are still scheduled to proceed.

Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said it was up to the Queensland Government on whether to hold the elections this Saturday.

But he said from a health perspective it had the potential to spread the virus.

“If this was going to go ahead, that would be a potential for a major mixing event,” Prof Kelly said.

“So first thing - anyone who is sick should not be going to vote, at least in person.

“Second of all - people should keep their distance.

“Third of all... if the voting area is full of people, perhaps come back later.”

At the same press conference he said if one person with the disease did not observe social distance and hand hygiene they could infect three people, who in turn could infect three more people each.

“Within a month one person will result on 400 other people,” he said.

In spite of this and the confirmation the NSW Government is moving to postpone its September polls by 12 months, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is holding firm the local government elections will go ahead .

But the Premier said she would talk to the Attorney-General about whether people would be fined for not voting.

“The health advice is very clear, Doctor (Jeannette) Young has said it is ok for the elections to proceed,” she said.

“People voting need to bring their own pen or pencil and they need to practice social distancing.”

The NSW Government today introduced emergency legislation to delay the elections by 12 months, with possible further extensions until December 2021.

But Ms Palaszczuk said as long as everyone practiced social distancing, there was a very low risk of catching COVID-19.

“Just as people go to the supermarket or go to shopping centers, there is a low risk,” she said.

“It’s when you’re in that close proximity of people.

“There’s no socializing on Election Day, you go and vote and I urge people to go and vote early.”

Meanwhile, parking fines will be waived by Brisbane City Council from today as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner calls for people not to be penalised if they do not vote this Saturday due to the coronavirus.

Cr Schrinner said council parking inspectors have been ordered to show leniency and not issue parking fines and instead give warnings.

“We don’t want to see people being fined,” he said.

“The only situation where a fine would be issued is where it was an extremely dangerous parked vehicle - other than that we don’t expect to see any fines issued.”

Cr Schrinner said people who have been issued a parking fine in recent times were also able to challenge it.

“Last year we waived more than 10,000 fines across the city,” he said.

The mayor also said people should not be penalised or fined for not voting because “there is a reasonable excuse for people to stay at home”.

“If they are unwell, if they are in isolation and they haven’t had the opportunity to do a postal or telephone vote, then there should be no punishment for that,” he said.

“I think it would be very unreasonable to fine people in this circumstance.”

The ECQ has insisted stepped-up safety measures will be in place to protect voters.

The ECQ has warned that voting remains compulsory, with those who do not turn up without a valid reason will cop a $133 penalty.

HERE IS WHAT VOTERS SHOULD KNOW:

- Voters are encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil to vote.

- Hand sanitiser will be provided to voters and polling officials “where available”.

- The ECQ will increase its cleaning of polling booths.

- People at polling booths will be encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines, including a 1.5m distance between others.

- No how to vote cards or other election materials can be distributed at polling booths.

- Voting will be open from 9am to 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday as part of extended voting hours.

- Additional ECQ staff will be deployed to manage lines, and “high risk” members of the public will be given extra assistance.

- Certain voters will be allowed access to telephone voting if they are in self-isolation.