Gold Coast City Council candidates opt to fund campaigns as strict reporting begins on back of Belcarra reforms

Many Gold Coast City council candidates are opting to self fund their campaigns as strict new reporting laws on donations take effect from early next week.

MANY Gold Coast City council candidates are opting to self-fund their campaigns as strict new reporting laws on donations take effect from early next week.

Some divisional candidates are tipped to spend between $10,000 and up to $100,000, but by funding their own campaigns will not be required to update accounts every week.

The second stage of Belcarra reforms, prompted by the Bulletin’s Trojan series reports into the 2016 poll, requires transparent, dedicated bank accounts.

Council candidate signage. Picture: David Clark

Council candidates who have completed mandatory training have been told donations of more than $500, provided from Monday, must be declared online to authorities within seven days.

Division 6 candidates Brooke Patterson and Michael Pulford have opted to self-fund their campaigns.

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“It is a big shift with not only real-time disclosure of donations coming but also real-time disclosure of expenditure,” Ms Patterson said.

“With a professional background in governance and transparency I embrace these new changes. Being upfront about everything is as it should be.

“It enables voters to have the full picture before they make their choice.”

Signs scattered around Helensvale Library during the 2016 poll. Picture: David Clark.

Ms Patterson said a recent survey of ratepayers found transparency on political donations was a key issue.

“Many rated transparency as their highest or second-highest priority for their local government. I am funding my campaign personally – not taking donations,” she said.

Gold Coast City Council candidate Brooke Patterson who will be running in the new Division 6.

Mr Pulford also said he would run as a true independent in a division guaranteed to have a new councillor with the retirement of Dawn Crichlow.

“I’ve done the course,” he said. “It took me four hours. I’m fully across the new requirements. I’m self-funded.”

Candidates were also required to make declarations about supporters who provided a discount on services such as printing, he said.

“The only thing that doesn’t count is people handing out how-to-vote cards,” Mr Pulford said.

The Southport businessman is a strong supporter of the reforms but believes financial reporting requirements could have been tougher.

Volunteer lifesaver and Division 6 council candidate Michael Pulford.

“I don’t have a problem with it. I still think there is stuff that is not being reported,” he said.

“I think there’s other type of help people aren’t reporting but should. You might get 10 people give you $500 worth of help. Personally, I think any donation should be declared.”

Mr Pulford believes supporters of candidates would be providing discounts on stationery and promotional campaign items.