Electorate offices should not be party campaign offices

Eligibility - Queensland residents
Principal Petitioner:
Gary Duffy
47 Blackall Street
EAST IPSWICH QLD 4305
Total Signatures - 492
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 12/5/2020
Closing Date: 14/9/2020
Tabled Date: 26/11/2020
Responded By: Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP on 4/1/2021
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that there needs to be greater safeguards put in place to prevent the misuse of electorate offices of Members of Parliament.

Principle 4 s4.4.2.4 of the Code of Conduct for the Parliamentary Service 1 January 2020 provides that electorate officers must "Ensure appropriate use of official resources, public property and facilities". Part 7 of the Code of Ethical Standards for members provides "Members must ensure that the administrative rules or requirements which apply, from time-to-time, to any entitlement or allowance they receive via the Parliamentary Service are observed".

The community has observed inappropriate use of electorate offices and electoral staff, including: printing of political material; party members and close associates being employment at electorate offices; electorate offices being used for political party branch meetings; electorate office staff running for election, for local and federal levels; electorate staff being selected for their position in the political party, not merit.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:

1. Ensure all electorate offices and their assets are not used for political party purposes;
2. Request the Auditor-General to audit every electorate office for compliance;
3. Make all breaches of rules corrupt conduct as defined in s.15 of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001;
4. Ensure all electorate office staff are selected on merit, not on their party membership; and
5. Party membership and closely associated affiliated memberships, be included as 'connected parties' in s1.5 and Part 2.4.2.2 of the Members’ Remuneration Handbook.