During the local government elections held on March 16, the Mackay Regional Council emerged as one of the top spenders in Queensland, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ).
With a reported expenditure totalling $515,793.33 and a donation total of $217,177.60, Mackay joined the ranks in the top five of major urban areas such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in campaign spending.
Comparing Mackay's expenditure with other major regional areas, Townsville reported an expenditure of $331,648.04 with donations totalling to $272,689.54. Cairns spent $365,583.79 and received $91,009.49 in donations. Rockhampton's expenditure was $25,898.32, with donations amounting to $4,013 and Toowoomba reported $176,855.04 in expenditure and $38,028.50 in donations.
Only Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast surpassed Mackay in election-related expenditure showcasing the city's significant investment in its electoral campaign.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen emphasised the importance of candidates submitting election summary returns.
“Disclosure of gifts and money spent during the election period provides transparency and ensures the integrity of the election process,” Mr Vidgen said.
“The election summary return shows all electoral expenditure incurred for an election and is required, under the Local Government Electoral Act 2011, to be returned within 15 weeks of an election being held.”
Vidgen noted that while most candidates have now submitted their election summary returns, there are still approximately 100 outstanding and lodging an election summary return is a requirement for all candidates.
“It’s important to note that even if a candidate hasn’t incurred any electoral expenditure or received any gifts or loans that the return must still be lodged,” he said.
“It’s great to see that all elected candidates have complied with this obligation.”
The ECQ issued nearly 100 fines to candidates for failing to lodge an election summary return following the 2020 local government elections.
Local government areas with the highest electoral expenditure were:
Brisbane City Council – $4,350,444.58
Gold Coast City Council – $590,757.42
Sunshine Coast Regional Council – $525,782.93
Mackay Regional Council - $515,793.33
Logan City Council – $455,383.15
Mackay emerged as one of the top five spenders in Queensland's local government elections
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