Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that a major risk of corruption is the length of time councillors/mayors are in council. Long serving councillors in Queensland have been found guilty of misconduct. According to the CCC’s report it has become apparent that a major risk of corruption is the long working relationship of councillors and executive employees and the relationship formed over years with developers. On the international level it appears that mayors who serve for too long acquire disproportionate power, opening the door to abuse of privilege and to problematic behaviour with a clear connection between long periods in power and corruption. Hence, it is important to restrict the number of times a mayor/councillor is allowed to serve in office. Councils in Queensland have the power of making policies without restrictions which is propelling the mayor into the most powerful person of the city. During the period leading up to elections, mayors in office can allocate budgets as they see fit to enhance their popularity at elections, as seen in Ipswich.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the Minister and the members of parliament to impose a two-term limit (8 years) for mayors and councillors with the main goal being to reduce corruption in local government.