EDQ steps in to cancel milestone candidate agreement

A milestone agreement between council candidates to stop campaign volunteers distributing how to vote cards at polling booths was derailed yesterday just 24 hours after it was initiated. Candidates were reminded that “police intervention” could take place.

Election volunteers will again not be allowed at Redland early voting booths today.

A MILESTONE agreement between council candidates to stop campaign volunteers from handing out how to vote cards was derailed yesterday just 24 hours after it was initiated.

Full Digital Access: 50% off for the first 12 weeks (conditions apply)

Redland City returning officer Amanda Heinrich yesterday issued a email to all candidates advising them she was terminating the agreement from 9pm.

The letter told candidates to ensure all how-to-vote and election material was removed from early voting centres and the all A-frame campaign signs were also removed.

“As from 9pm tonight, candidate and third parties are to abide by the regulations stipulated in the Local Government Act 2011 including the 6m rule,” Ms Heinrich said.

“You are reminded that obstructing voters or the voting process is deemed an offence under the Act therefore any complaints received from the public or other candidates and third parties forthwith will result in Police intervention.

“As you may have gathered from this email, the Agreement reached last night has been breached many times today and so the returning officer, who warned all present last night, has been forced to take these measures.

“Please respect my staff from this point forth.”

CANDIDATES MAKE LANDMARK AGREEMENT

JPS SIGN OUT AMID CORONAVIRUS WORRIES

EASTER EVENTS CANCELLED, NURSING HOMES BRIEFED

The letter follows allegations people had been moving election material of some candidates.

Mayor Karen Williams confirmed there had been “some concerns” at polling booths yesterday and that they had been rectified and the agreement resumed.

“This is the first time this sort of agreement has been in place so it is natural for there to be some teething issues, but they have been worked through now and the intent of the agreement remains with just a couple of minor changes,” she said.

“I contacted the majority of candidates last night to reconfirm our collective commitment to the agreement and I’d like to congratulate those candidates who met this morning to find a solution to the concerns.”

Of the matter mayoral candidate Claire Richardson said: “This morning with leadership from the three mayoral candidates, the 2020 Redland City Council Election candidates have voluntarily reinstated the agreement, to ensure our volunteers, ourselves and the voting public can minimise the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus during voting.”

It was a similar sentiment from fellow mayoral candidate David Curtin.

“The Agreement signed by all candidates in the Redland City has set a new precedent for all councils across Queensland for what can be achieved when the community is put ahead of politics,” he said.

“I am pleased that the three mayoral candidates have been able to work together with divisional candidates to find a solution, and I look forward to ensuring the agreement continues through the election period.

“As cases of the virus increase, community safety is paramount.”

FOLLOW REDLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS ON FACEBOOK