Queenslanders want council elections called off

A statewide survey has found the majority of Queenslanders want council elections postponed in light of the coronavirus crisis.

MOST Queenslanders want the local government elections called off as the state braces for the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new statewide survey conducted by respected pollsters YouGov has revealed the majority of Queenslanders aren’t scared about the virus but still believe the March 28 elections should be postponed.

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The results come after the Palaszczuk Government rushed urgent legislation through Parliament on Wednesday night that allowed the administration to scrap the elections across Queensland’s 77 council if required.

The laws also allowed for the Government to call off the by-elections in Currumbin and Bundamba and detailed caretaker arrangement for councils.

There was a massive rush for postal vote before applications closed on Monday and polling booths have been inundated with voters attempting to avoid the crowds.

However, there are fears about low voter turnout and what will happen if the coronavirus spread forces the government to order people to stay at home.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe told Parliament that the Government was not taking lightly the powers it was handing itself to call off elections.

“Local government has an essential role in delivering services and supporting communities,” he said.

“I have been working with the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and the Electoral Commission of Queensland to ensure our response meets the needs of the Queensland community in these challenging times.”

The poll of 609 Queenslanders found 52 per cent believed the local government elections should be postponed to a later date while 44 per cent thought they should proceed.

Opposition to the elections proceeding was strongest among women, regional Queenslanders and younger voters.

The poll revealed 60 per cent of respondents were concerned about the ability of authorities to minimise the risk of coronavirus spread at polling stations.

However, 34 per cent said they were not very scared about contracting coronavirus while 19 per cent insisted they were not scared at all.

The poll is part of real-time sentiment tracking that YouGov is conducting across the globe as the coronavirus crisis unfolds.

Local Government Association of Queensland chief Greg Hallam said councils were aware of people’s concerns but the elections should proceed.

“The LGAQ has been raising the need to ensure voters are protected with the ECQ and the State Government so voters have confidence these elections can be delivered safely,” he said.

“We are pleased to see extra provisions are being put in place to protect voters including extending early voting hours and other legislative provisions to manage the risks as they unfold.”