Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill bundles three unrelated changes. It stops council CEOs from automatically running their own council's elections, delays the national heavy vehicle registration scheme until 1 July 2018, and extends the Queensland Reconstruction Authority past its original 2015 expiry date so it can keep helping disaster-hit communities.
Who it affects
Voters and candidates in council elections get more independent election management, while communities recovering from natural disasters like cyclone Marcia keep access to the state recovery agency.
Council CEOs removed as returning officers
Removes the rule that makes a council's chief executive officer the returning officer for that council's election. The Electoral Commission of Queensland will appoint the returning officer instead, with a limited exception for small communities.
- Council CEOs can no longer automatically run their own council's election
- The Electoral Commission of Queensland appoints returning officers for all council elections
- CEOs who are members of political parties can never be appointed as returning officer
- A CEO can still be appointed in small communities if no other experienced person is reasonably available
National heavy vehicle registration delayed
Pushes back the automatic start date of Chapter 2 (Registration) of the Heavy Vehicle National Law from 2015 to 1 July 2018, giving states and territories time to build the national system.
- National heavy vehicle registration scheme commencement pushed to 1 July 2018
- The Acts Interpretation Act 1954 automatic commencement rule is switched off for this Act
Queensland Reconstruction Authority kept going
Repeals the QRA Act's expiry clause so the authority does not wind up on 30 June 2015. This follows severe tropical cyclone Marcia activating disaster arrangements in 14 council areas.
- Queensland Reconstruction Authority continues past 30 June 2015 with no end date set
- QRA keeps coordinating Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements rebuilding work
- Supports ongoing recovery after cyclone Marcia across Rockhampton, Livingstone, Mackay, Sunshine Coast and other areas
Bill Journey
Committee report tabled
Referenced Entities
Legislation
Organisations
Programs & Schemes
Sectors Affected
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