Electoral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill toughens Queensland's political donation disclosure rules and removes voter ID requirements. It also sets up a judicial-style pension for the chairperson of the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Who it affects
Voters no longer need ID at the polling booth. Political parties, candidates, donors and third-party campaigners face lower disclosure thresholds and more frequent reporting, while the CCC chairperson gains a new pension entitlement.
Political donation disclosure
The threshold for publicly disclosing donations and loans drops from around $12,800 to $1,000, backdated to 21 November 2013. Political parties must report every six months instead of annually, and donors giving $100,000 or more must file a separate return within 14 days.
- Donation and loan disclosure threshold cut to $1,000 (from $12,400 indexed)
- Anonymous donation cap for parties cut from $12,800 to $1,000 (candidates stay at $200)
- Parties and associated entities now report every six months, not annually
- Gifts of $100,000 or more must be declared within 14 days, supporting near real-time disclosure
- Parties and candidates must re-file returns covering 2013-14, the Stafford by-election and the 2015 general election under the new rules
Voter identification
The requirement to show a proof of identity document (like a driver licence or Medicare card) to be issued a ballot paper is removed for both state and local government elections. Issuing officers can still ask questions if they suspect someone is not entitled to vote.
- Voters no longer need to show ID at state elections
- Voter ID requirement also removed for local government elections
- Issuing officers retain power to question suspected non-entitled voters
CCC chairperson pension
The chairperson of the Crime and Corruption Commission is given access to a pension scheme based on the one that covers Supreme Court judges. A chairperson must serve at least five years to qualify, accrues 6% per year up to a 60% cap, and payments do not start until age 65.
- Judicial-style pension extended to the CCC chairperson
- Minimum five years of service required to qualify
- Pension paid at 6% of a Supreme Court judge's salary per year served, up to 60%
- Pension deferred until age 65, even for ill-health retirements
- Spouses and children of deceased former chairpersons get pension rights similar to those of a judge's family
Bill Journey
Committee report tabled
Referenced Entities
Legislation
Organisations
Sectors Affected
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