Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that in local government elections, two or more candidates can form a group to campaign together, implement common policies, and work toward shared goals if elected to council. 

Candidates who form a group are also able to pool their electoral expenditure caps.

In Queensland many candidates are forming groups to run in divisions, which collectively across all divisions, if successful could control councils. In many cities like Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Ipswich, Redlands and Mt Isa there were groups in 2024 whose aim was to secure control the council. This is not proportionate to the good, fair and unbiased representation of a community. 

Local government's decision making should not lend itself to be controlled by a group. Proportionate laws that interfere with rights such as political freedom must be considered to protect the democratic freedom of the entire community over and above that of political groups or entities. 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to:

1. apply the proportionality formula of 45% as a rigorous tool to protect communities from control by groups; and

2. amend the local government laws to limit any party or group, outside of the Brisbane City Council, to a maximum of 45% of elected councilors in any term of the council.