{"id":"qld:sl-2023-0057","name":"Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023","slug":"local-government-electoral-regulation-2023","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"57 of 2023","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173756,"registerId":"qld-sl-2023-0057-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis regulation may be cited as the Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### sec.2 Commencement\n\nThis regulation commences on 28 June 2023.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Quadrennial election for 2024","content":"# Quadrennial election for 2024","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Date of quadrennial election for 2024— Act , s 23","content":"### sec.3 Date of quadrennial election for 2024— Act , s 23\n\nFor section 23 (3) of the Act , the day fixed for the quadrennial election for 2024 is 16 March 2024.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Capped expenditure period— Act , s 123A","content":"### sec.4 Capped expenditure period— Act , s 123A\n\nFor section 123A (2) of the Act , the day prescribed for the start of the capped expenditure period for the quadrennial election for 2024 is 14 August 2023.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Relevant day to decide number of enrolled electors for quadrennial election— Act , s 123S","content":"### sec.5 Relevant day to decide number of enrolled electors for quadrennial election— Act , s 123S\n\nFor section 123S (4) of the Act , the day prescribed for the relevant day for the quadrennial election for 2024 is 1 July 2023.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Local government elections","content":"# Local government elections","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"General","content":"## General","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prescribed information for nomination— Act , s 32","content":"### sec.6 Prescribed information for nomination— Act , s 32\n\nFor section 32 (3) of the Act , definition prescribed information , the following information or statements are prescribed—\nthe candidate’s name, address and occupation;\nfor a candidate nominated by the registered officer of a registered political party under section 27 (1) (a) of the Act —\nthe name of the registered officer; and\nthe name of the political party; and\na statement that the candidate is endorsed by the party;\nfor a candidate nominated by electors under section 27 (1) (b) of the Act —the name of each elector who nominated the candidate;\nthe information or a statement required to be contained in the nomination under schedule 1 of the Act , other than the address of a close associate of the candidate.\n- (a) the candidate’s name, address and occupation;\n- (b) for a candidate nominated by the registered officer of a registered political party under section 27 (1) (a) of the Act — (i) the name of the registered officer; and (ii) the name of the political party; and (iii) a statement that the candidate is endorsed by the party;\n- (i) the name of the registered officer; and\n- (ii) the name of the political party; and\n- (iii) a statement that the candidate is endorsed by the party;\n- (c) for a candidate nominated by electors under section 27 (1) (b) of the Act —the name of each elector who nominated the candidate;\n- (d) the information or a statement required to be contained in the nomination under schedule 1 of the Act , other than the address of a close associate of the candidate.\n- (i) the name of the registered officer; and\n- (ii) the name of the political party; and\n- (iii) a statement that the candidate is endorsed by the party;","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Electors who may cast an electronically assisted vote— Act , s 68","content":"### sec.7 Electors who may cast an electronically assisted vote— Act , s 68\n\nFor section 68 (5B) (c) of the Act , the following classes of electors for an election are prescribed—\nspecial postal voters who are not detained in lawful custody;\ndistance voters;\nout-of-State voters.\nIn this section—\ndistance voter , for an election—\nmeans an elector, other than a special postal voter or an out-of-State voter, whose address, as shown on the voters roll, is more than 20km by the nearest practicable route from a polling booth; and\nif the election is a by-election—also means an elector, other than an out-of-State voter, who can not, for another reason, vote at a polling booth during the voting period for the by-election.\nan elector who will be absent from the elector’s local government area or division of the local government area for the whole of the voting period for the by-election\nout-of-State voter , for an election, means an elector who is not in Queensland at any time during the voting period.\nvoting period , for an election, means the period—\nstarting on the first day that a pre-poll vote may be made for an election; and\nending on the close of the poll for the election.\n(sec.7-ssec.1) For section 68 (5B) (c) of the Act , the following classes of electors for an election are prescribed— special postal voters who are not detained in lawful custody; distance voters; out-of-State voters.\n(sec.7-ssec.2) In this section— distance voter , for an election— means an elector, other than a special postal voter or an out-of-State voter, whose address, as shown on the voters roll, is more than 20km by the nearest practicable route from a polling booth; and if the election is a by-election—also means an elector, other than an out-of-State voter, who can not, for another reason, vote at a polling booth during the voting period for the by-election. an elector who will be absent from the elector’s local government area or division of the local government area for the whole of the voting period for the by-election out-of-State voter , for an election, means an elector who is not in Queensland at any time during the voting period. voting period , for an election, means the period— starting on the first day that a pre-poll vote may be made for an election; and ending on the close of the poll for the election.\n- (a) special postal voters who are not detained in lawful custody;\n- (b) distance voters;\n- (c) out-of-State voters.\n- (a) means an elector, other than a special postal voter or an out-of-State voter, whose address, as shown on the voters roll, is more than 20km by the nearest practicable route from a polling booth; and\n- (b) if the election is a by-election—also means an elector, other than an out-of-State voter, who can not, for another reason, vote at a polling booth during the voting period for the by-election. Example of an elector for paragraph (b) — an elector who will be absent from the elector’s local government area or division of the local government area for the whole of the voting period for the by-election\n- (a) starting on the first day that a pre-poll vote may be made for an election; and\n- (b) ending on the close of the poll for the election.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approval of procedure for electronically assisted voting— Act , s 75A","content":"### sec.8 Approval of procedure for electronically assisted voting— Act , s 75A\n\nFor section 75A (3) (a) of the Act , the procedures set out in the document called ‘Procedure for electronically assisted voting for local government elections’, version 3.0, made by the electoral commission on 22 May 2023 are approved.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Qualifications or experience for auditors— Act , s 106","content":"### sec.9 Qualifications or experience for auditors— Act , s 106\n\nFor section 106 of the Act , definition auditor , the qualifications prescribed are any of the following—\nregistration as an auditor under the Corporations Act ;\nmembership of CPA Australia Ltd ACN 008 392 452 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘CPA’ or ‘FCPA’;\nmembership of the Institute of Public Accountants Ltd ACN 004 130 643 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘MIPA’ or ‘FIPA’;\nmembership of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand ARBN 084 642 571 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘CA’ or ‘FCA’.\n- (a) registration as an auditor under the Corporations Act ;\n- (b) membership of CPA Australia Ltd ACN 008 392 452 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘CPA’ or ‘FCPA’;\n- (c) membership of the Institute of Public Accountants Ltd ACN 004 130 643 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘MIPA’ or ‘FIPA’;\n- (d) membership of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand ARBN 084 642 571 and an entitlement to use the letters ‘CA’ or ‘FCA’.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prescribed details for application for registration of third party for an election— Act , s 127F","content":"### sec.10 Prescribed details for application for registration of third party for an election— Act , s 127F\n\nFor section 127F (2) (b) of the Act , the following details are prescribed—\nthe election to which the application relates;\nthe following details in relation to the third party—\nif the third party is an individual—\ndate of birth;\naddress as shown on the electoral roll;\nif the third party is not an individual—ABN or ACN;\nbusiness address;\ntelephone number;\nemail address.\n- (a) the election to which the application relates;\n- (b) the following details in relation to the third party— (i) if the third party is an individual— (A) date of birth; (B) address as shown on the electoral roll; (ii) if the third party is not an individual—ABN or ACN; (iii) business address; (iv) telephone number; (v) email address.\n- (i) if the third party is an individual— (A) date of birth; (B) address as shown on the electoral roll;\n- (A) date of birth;\n- (B) address as shown on the electoral roll;\n- (ii) if the third party is not an individual—ABN or ACN;\n- (iii) business address;\n- (iv) telephone number;\n- (v) email address.\n- (i) if the third party is an individual— (A) date of birth; (B) address as shown on the electoral roll;\n- (A) date of birth;\n- (B) address as shown on the electoral roll;\n- (ii) if the third party is not an individual—ABN or ACN;\n- (iii) business address;\n- (iv) telephone number;\n- (v) email address.\n- (A) date of birth;\n- (B) address as shown on the electoral roll;","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Prescribed information to be included in particular records to be kept","content":"## Prescribed information to be included in particular records to be kept","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Purpose of division","content":"### sec.11 Purpose of division\n\nThis division states, for section 127N (1) (b) of the Act , information that is required to be included in a record for a prescribed matter.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gifts or loans made to or for the benefit of particular relevant entities","content":"### sec.12 Gifts or loans made to or for the benefit of particular relevant entities\n\nThis section applies for a record about a gift or loan made to, or for the benefit of, a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party.\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe relevant details for the gift or loan;\na statement that the person who made the gift or loan is not a prohibited donor;\nfor a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\nfor a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part—\nthe day the refund was given or the return was made; and\nthe value refunded or returned; and\nfor a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\nIf the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the relevant entity, the following information must also be included in the record—\ndetails about how the electoral expenditure benefits the entity;\ndetails of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\ndetails of the consideration, if any, the entity provided for the electoral expenditure;\na copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the entity for the electoral expenditure;\nfor electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the entity and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.\nIn this section—\nprohibited donor see section 113 (1) of the Act .\n(sec.12-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about a gift or loan made to, or for the benefit of, a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party.\n(sec.12-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the relevant details for the gift or loan; a statement that the person who made the gift or loan is not a prohibited donor; for a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ; for a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— the day the refund was given or the return was made; and the value refunded or returned; and for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n(sec.12-ssec.3) If the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the relevant entity, the following information must also be included in the record— details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the entity; details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply; details of the consideration, if any, the entity provided for the electoral expenditure; a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the entity for the electoral expenditure; for electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the entity and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.\n(sec.12-ssec.4) In this section— prohibited donor see section 113 (1) of the Act .\n- (a) the relevant details for the gift or loan;\n- (b) a statement that the person who made the gift or loan is not a prohibited donor;\n- (c) for a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\n- (d) for a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and (ii) the value refunded or returned; and (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (a) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the entity;\n- (b) details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\n- (c) details of the consideration, if any, the entity provided for the electoral expenditure;\n- (d) a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the entity for the electoral expenditure;\n- (e) for electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the entity and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gifts or loans made by particular relevant entities to other relevant entities","content":"### sec.13 Gifts or loans made by particular relevant entities to other relevant entities\n\nThis section applies for a record about a gift or loan made by a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party for the election, (the first entity ) to another relevant entity for the election (the second entity ).\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe relevant details for the gift or loan;\nfor a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\nfor a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part—\nthe day the refund was given or the return was made; and\nthe value refunded or returned; and\nfor a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\nIf the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the second entity, the following information must also be included in the record—\ndetails about how the electoral expenditure benefits the second entity;\ndetails of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\ndetails of the consideration, if any, the first entity received from the second entity for incurring the electoral expenditure;\na copy of an invoice, if any, the first entity issued to the second entity for the electoral expenditure;\ndetails of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between—\nthe first entity and the second entity; or\nthe second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities; or\nboth the first entity and the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities.\n(sec.13-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about a gift or loan made by a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party for the election, (the first entity ) to another relevant entity for the election (the second entity ).\n(sec.13-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the relevant details for the gift or loan; for a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ; for a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— the day the refund was given or the return was made; and the value refunded or returned; and for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n(sec.13-ssec.3) If the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the second entity, the following information must also be included in the record— details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the second entity; details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply; details of the consideration, if any, the first entity received from the second entity for incurring the electoral expenditure; a copy of an invoice, if any, the first entity issued to the second entity for the electoral expenditure; details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— the first entity and the second entity; or the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities; or both the first entity and the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities.\n- (a) the relevant details for the gift or loan;\n- (b) for a record about a gift—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\n- (c) for a record about a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and (ii) the value refunded or returned; and (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (a) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the second entity;\n- (b) details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\n- (c) details of the consideration, if any, the first entity received from the second entity for incurring the electoral expenditure;\n- (d) a copy of an invoice, if any, the first entity issued to the second entity for the electoral expenditure;\n- (e) details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— (i) the first entity and the second entity; or (ii) the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities; or (iii) both the first entity and the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities.\n- (i) the first entity and the second entity; or\n- (ii) the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities; or\n- (iii) both the first entity and the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities.\n- (i) the first entity and the second entity; or\n- (ii) the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities; or\n- (iii) both the first entity and the second entity and 1 or more other relevant entities.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gifts to third parties to enable political expenditure","content":"### sec.14 Gifts to third parties to enable political expenditure\n\nThis section applies for a record about a gift made to a third party for an election about which the third party is required to give the commission a return under section 118A of the Act .\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe relevant details for the gift;\nfor a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\nfor a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part—\nthe day the refund was given or the return was made; and\nthe value refunded or returned; and\nfor a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\nIf the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the third party, the following information must also be included in the record—\ndetails about how the electoral expenditure benefits the third party;\ndetails of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\ndetails of the consideration, if any, the third party provided for the electoral expenditure;\na copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the third party for the electoral expenditure;\nfor electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the third party and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.\n(sec.14-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about a gift made to a third party for an election about which the third party is required to give the commission a return under section 118A of the Act .\n(sec.14-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the relevant details for the gift; for a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ; for a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— the day the refund was given or the return was made; and the value refunded or returned; and for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n(sec.14-ssec.3) If the record is about a gift that is electoral expenditure gifted to the third party, the following information must also be included in the record— details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the third party; details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply; details of the consideration, if any, the third party provided for the electoral expenditure; a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the third party for the electoral expenditure; for electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the third party and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.\n- (a) the relevant details for the gift;\n- (b) for a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift is worked out under section 108 of the Act ;\n- (c) for a gift that is refunded or returned in full or in part— (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and (ii) the value refunded or returned; and (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (i) the day the refund was given or the return was made; and\n- (ii) the value refunded or returned; and\n- (iii) for a return of a gift of property other than money—how the value of the gift, or the part of the gift, returned is worked out under section 108 of the Act .\n- (a) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the third party;\n- (b) details of the circumstances mentioned in section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) of the Act that apply;\n- (c) details of the consideration, if any, the third party provided for the electoral expenditure;\n- (d) a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the third party for the electoral expenditure;\n- (e) for electoral expenditure incurred under an arrangement between the third party and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election—details of the arrangement.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Electoral expenditure incurred","content":"### sec.15 Electoral expenditure incurred\n\nThis section applies for a record about electoral expenditure incurred—\nby a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party, or with the relevant entity’s authority at any time; or\nby a third party for an election, or with the third party’s authority, during the capped expenditure period for the election.\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe amount of the electoral expenditure;\nthe day the amount was paid;\na description of the goods or services for which the electoral expenditure was incurred;\nthe name and business address of the person who supplied the goods or provided the services;\nthe day the goods or services were supplied or provided;\nfor electoral expenditure to which section 109E (4) of the Act applies—the day the goods were first used for a campaign purpose during a capped expenditure period;\na copy of an invoice or receipt issued for the electoral expenditure;\nfor electoral expenditure that benefits another relevant entity for an election—\ndetails about how the electoral expenditure benefits the other relevant entity; and\nif section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) or 123U (3) (a) (i) or (ii) of the Act applies—details of the circumstances mentioned in those subsections that apply; and\ndetails of the consideration, if any, the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure received for the expenditure; and\na copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the other relevant entity for the electoral expenditure; and\ndetails of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between—\nthe relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or\n2 or more other relevant entities;\nfor electoral expenditure incurred under section 123V of the Act in relation to a quadrennial election—details about how the expenditure relates to the election under that section;\nfor electoral expenditure incurred by an unregistered third party that is required to be registered for a quadrennial election under section 127D of the Act —details about how the expenditure relates to the election.\n(sec.15-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about electoral expenditure incurred— by a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party, or with the relevant entity’s authority at any time; or by a third party for an election, or with the third party’s authority, during the capped expenditure period for the election.\n(sec.15-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the amount of the electoral expenditure; the day the amount was paid; a description of the goods or services for which the electoral expenditure was incurred; the name and business address of the person who supplied the goods or provided the services; the day the goods or services were supplied or provided; for electoral expenditure to which section 109E (4) of the Act applies—the day the goods were first used for a campaign purpose during a capped expenditure period; a copy of an invoice or receipt issued for the electoral expenditure; for electoral expenditure that benefits another relevant entity for an election— details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the other relevant entity; and if section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) or 123U (3) (a) (i) or (ii) of the Act applies—details of the circumstances mentioned in those subsections that apply; and details of the consideration, if any, the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure received for the expenditure; and a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the other relevant entity for the electoral expenditure; and details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or 2 or more other relevant entities; for electoral expenditure incurred under section 123V of the Act in relation to a quadrennial election—details about how the expenditure relates to the election under that section; for electoral expenditure incurred by an unregistered third party that is required to be registered for a quadrennial election under section 127D of the Act —details about how the expenditure relates to the election.\n- (a) by a relevant entity for an election, other than a third party, or with the relevant entity’s authority at any time; or\n- (b) by a third party for an election, or with the third party’s authority, during the capped expenditure period for the election.\n- (a) the amount of the electoral expenditure;\n- (b) the day the amount was paid;\n- (c) a description of the goods or services for which the electoral expenditure was incurred;\n- (d) the name and business address of the person who supplied the goods or provided the services;\n- (e) the day the goods or services were supplied or provided;\n- (f) for electoral expenditure to which section 109E (4) of the Act applies—the day the goods were first used for a campaign purpose during a capped expenditure period;\n- (g) a copy of an invoice or receipt issued for the electoral expenditure;\n- (h) for electoral expenditure that benefits another relevant entity for an election— (i) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the other relevant entity; and (ii) if section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) or 123U (3) (a) (i) or (ii) of the Act applies—details of the circumstances mentioned in those subsections that apply; and (iii) details of the consideration, if any, the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure received for the expenditure; and (iv) a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the other relevant entity for the electoral expenditure; and (v) details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;\n- (i) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the other relevant entity; and\n- (ii) if section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) or 123U (3) (a) (i) or (ii) of the Act applies—details of the circumstances mentioned in those subsections that apply; and\n- (iii) details of the consideration, if any, the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure received for the expenditure; and\n- (iv) a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the other relevant entity for the electoral expenditure; and\n- (v) details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;\n- (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or\n- (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;\n- (i) for electoral expenditure incurred under section 123V of the Act in relation to a quadrennial election—details about how the expenditure relates to the election under that section;\n- (j) for electoral expenditure incurred by an unregistered third party that is required to be registered for a quadrennial election under section 127D of the Act —details about how the expenditure relates to the election.\n- (i) details about how the electoral expenditure benefits the other relevant entity; and\n- (ii) if section 109C (1) (b) (i) or (ii) or 123U (3) (a) (i) or (ii) of the Act applies—details of the circumstances mentioned in those subsections that apply; and\n- (iii) details of the consideration, if any, the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure received for the expenditure; and\n- (iv) a copy of an invoice, if any, issued to the other relevant entity for the electoral expenditure; and\n- (v) details of the arrangement under which the electoral expenditure was incurred, if any, between— (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;\n- (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or\n- (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;\n- (A) the relevant entity or third party that incurred the electoral expenditure and 1 or more other relevant entities in the election; or\n- (B) 2 or more other relevant entities;","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amounts paid into dedicated account","content":"### sec.16 Amounts paid into dedicated account\n\nThis section applies for a record about an amount paid into the dedicated account of a candidate, or group of candidates, for an election.\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe amount;\nwhether the amount is a gift, loan or amount of another type;\nfor each part of the amount—the information necessary to show the part is a gift, loan or amount of another type.\n(sec.16-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about an amount paid into the dedicated account of a candidate, or group of candidates, for an election.\n(sec.16-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the amount; whether the amount is a gift, loan or amount of another type; for each part of the amount—the information necessary to show the part is a gift, loan or amount of another type.\n- (a) the amount;\n- (b) whether the amount is a gift, loan or amount of another type;\n- (c) for each part of the amount—the information necessary to show the part is a gift, loan or amount of another type.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amounts paid from dedicated account","content":"### sec.17 Amounts paid from dedicated account\n\nThis section applies for a record about an amount paid from the dedicated account of any of the following entities—\na candidate in an election;\na group of candidates for an election;\na registered political party that endorses a candidate in an election;\na relevant third party.\nThe following information must be included in the record—\nthe amount;\nfor an amount paid for electoral expenditure incurred by an entity mentioned in subsection (1) —information necessary to show the amount is paid for the electoral expenditure;\nfor an amount paid under section 126 (6) , 127 (6) , 127AA (5) or 127AB (5) of the Act —information necessary to show the relevant provision has been complied with.\n(sec.17-ssec.1) This section applies for a record about an amount paid from the dedicated account of any of the following entities— a candidate in an election; a group of candidates for an election; a registered political party that endorses a candidate in an election; a relevant third party.\n(sec.17-ssec.2) The following information must be included in the record— the amount; for an amount paid for electoral expenditure incurred by an entity mentioned in subsection (1) —information necessary to show the amount is paid for the electoral expenditure; for an amount paid under section 126 (6) , 127 (6) , 127AA (5) or 127AB (5) of the Act —information necessary to show the relevant provision has been complied with.\n- (a) a candidate in an election;\n- (b) a group of candidates for an election;\n- (c) a registered political party that endorses a candidate in an election;\n- (d) a relevant third party.\n- (a) the amount;\n- (b) for an amount paid for electoral expenditure incurred by an entity mentioned in subsection (1) —information necessary to show the amount is paid for the electoral expenditure;\n- (c) for an amount paid under section 126 (6) , 127 (6) , 127AA (5) or 127AB (5) of the Act —information necessary to show the relevant provision has been complied with.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Electoral funding and financial disclosure","content":"## Electoral funding and financial disclosure","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts or loans received by candidates— Act , ss 117 and 120","content":"### sec.18 Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts or loans received by candidates— Act , ss 117 and 120\n\nFor sections 117 (2) and 120 (2) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a gift or loan received by a candidate for an election is—\nif the gift or loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift or loan is received; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the gift or loan is received.\n- (a) if the gift or loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift or loan is received; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the gift or loan is received.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts received by groups of candidates— Act , s 118","content":"### sec.19 Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts received by groups of candidates— Act , s 118\n\nFor section 118 (2) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a gift received by a member of a group of candidates for an election, or a person acting on behalf of the group, is—\nif the gift is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift is received; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the gift is received.\n- (a) if the gift is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift is received; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the gift is received.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts or loans received by associated entities of candidates or groups of candidates— Act , ss 118AA and 120A","content":"### sec.20 Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts or loans received by associated entities of candidates or groups of candidates— Act , ss 118AA and 120A\n\nFor sections 118AA (2) and 120A (2) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a gift or loan received by an associated entity of a candidate for an election, or a group of candidates for an election, is—\nif the gift or loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift or loan is received; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the gift or loan is received.\n- (a) if the gift or loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the gift or loan is received; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the gift or loan is received.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts received by third parties to enable political expenditure— Act , s 118A","content":"### sec.21 Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts received by third parties to enable political expenditure— Act , s 118A\n\nFor section 118A (2) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a gift received by a third party is the seventh business day after the gift is used as mentioned in section 118A (1) (c) of the Act .","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts made by third parties— Act , s 118B","content":"### sec.22 Disclosure deadline for returns for gifts made by third parties— Act , s 118B\n\nFor section 118B (2) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a gift made by a third party is the seventh business day after the gift is made.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for loans received by groups of candidates— Act , s 120","content":"### sec.23 Disclosure deadline for returns for loans received by groups of candidates— Act , s 120\n\nFor section 120 (4) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about a loan received by a group of candidates for an election is—\nif the loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the loan is received; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the loan is received.\n- (a) if the loan is received 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the loan is received; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the loan is received.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for electoral expenditure incurred by particular election participants— Act , s 124","content":"### sec.24 Disclosure deadline for returns for electoral expenditure incurred by particular election participants— Act , s 124\n\nFor section 124 (3) (b) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about electoral expenditure incurred by an election participant for an election is—\nif the amount is incurred 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the expenditure is incurred; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the expenditure is incurred.\n- (a) if the amount is incurred 7 business days or less before the polling day for the election—24 hours after the expenditure is incurred; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the expenditure is incurred.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure deadline for returns for electoral expenditure incurred by relevant third parties— Act , s 125B","content":"### sec.25 Disclosure deadline for returns for electoral expenditure incurred by relevant third parties— Act , s 125B\n\nFor section 125B (3) (b) of the Act , the disclosure deadline for a return about expenditure incurred by a relevant third party is—\nif the amount is incurred before the day the third party is registered for the election, or is required to be registered for the election under section 127D of the Act —\n7 business days after the third party is registered or is required to be registered; but\nnot less than 24 hours before polling day; or\notherwise—the seventh business day after the expenditure is incurred.\n- (a) if the amount is incurred before the day the third party is registered for the election, or is required to be registered for the election under section 127D of the Act — (i) 7 business days after the third party is registered or is required to be registered; but (ii) not less than 24 hours before polling day; or\n- (i) 7 business days after the third party is registered or is required to be registered; but\n- (ii) not less than 24 hours before polling day; or\n- (b) otherwise—the seventh business day after the expenditure is incurred.\n- (i) 7 business days after the third party is registered or is required to be registered; but\n- (ii) not less than 24 hours before polling day; or","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prescribed information for publishing copy of return or document— Act , s 128","content":"### sec.26 Prescribed information for publishing copy of return or document— Act , s 128\n\nFor section 128 (3) (e) of the Act , the information required to be stated in a return under section 124 (3) (c) (i) or 125B (3) (c) (i) of the Act is prescribed.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approval of procedures for electronic lodgement of returns— Act , s 132A","content":"### sec.27 Approval of procedures for electronic lodgement of returns— Act , s 132A\n\nFor section 132A (2) (a) of the Act , the procedures set out in the document called ‘Procedure for electronic lodgement of returns’, version 3.0, made by the electoral commission on 22 May 2023 are approved.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Repeal and transitional provision","content":"# Repeal and transitional provision","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Repeal","content":"## Repeal","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"### sec.28 Repeal\n\nThe Local Government Electoral Regulation 2012 , SL No. 17 is repealed.","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provisions","content":"## Transitional provisions","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to repealed regulation","content":"### sec.29 References to repealed regulation\n\nA reference in a document to the repealed Local Government Electoral Regulation 2012 may, if the context permits, be taken to be a reference to this regulation.","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Information required to be included in a record","content":"### sec.30 Information required to be included in a record\n\nThis section applies to an entity that is required, under sections 12 to 17, to include particular information in a record about a prescribed matter if—\nthe event that is the subject of the information required to be included in the record occurred before the commencement; and\nthe entity considers it is impossible to complete the record because the entity is unable to obtain the information.\nThe entity must not, merely because of the omission of the information, be taken to have failed to keep a record about the prescribed matter if the entity includes the following information in the record—\ndetails about the reasons the entity is unable to obtain the information; and\nif the entity believes, on reasonable grounds, that another person can give the information—a statement of that belief and reasons for it and, if known, the name and address of the other person.\n(sec.30-ssec.1) This section applies to an entity that is required, under sections 12 to 17, to include particular information in a record about a prescribed matter if— the event that is the subject of the information required to be included in the record occurred before the commencement; and the entity considers it is impossible to complete the record because the entity is unable to obtain the information.\n(sec.30-ssec.2) The entity must not, merely because of the omission of the information, be taken to have failed to keep a record about the prescribed matter if the entity includes the following information in the record— details about the reasons the entity is unable to obtain the information; and if the entity believes, on reasonable grounds, that another person can give the information—a statement of that belief and reasons for it and, if known, the name and address of the other person.\n- (a) the event that is the subject of the information required to be included in the record occurred before the commencement; and\n- (b) the entity considers it is impossible to complete the record because the entity is unable to obtain the information.\n- (a) details about the reasons the entity is unable to obtain the information; and\n- (b) if the entity believes, on reasonable grounds, that another person can give the information—a statement of that belief and reasons for it and, if known, the name and address of the other person.","sortOrder":38}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"retroactive_impossibility","section":"sec.4 and sec.5","severity":"low","reasoning":"Section 5 prescribes 1 July 2023 as the relevant day for counting enrolled electors. The regulation commenced 28 June 2023, meaning the prescribed day falls only 3 days after commencement. While technically not retroactive to before commencement, it creates a situation where the prescribed day arrives almost immediately, giving virtually no operational window. More significantly, the capped expenditure period (s.4) starts 14 August 2023 — over six weeks after the elector-count day — raising a structural oddity where the elector count snapshot predates the period it is meant to regulate by a significant margin. This is likely intentional drafting but creates a temporal anomaly.","confidence":0.45,"description":"The capped expenditure period starts on 14 August 2023 (s.4), but the relevant day for deciding the number of enrolled electors is 1 July 2023 (s.5) — before the regulation commenced on 28 June 2023. The enrolled elector count is determined on a date that predates the regulation's own commencement, meaning the prescribed day for s.123S(4) purposes was a past date at the time this regulation came into force."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.7(2) — definition of 'distance voter' for by-elections","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The phrase 'for another reason' in sec.7(2)(b) creates an indeterminate category. Unlike the general election limb (which requires an objective 20km geographic test), the by-election limb has no objective threshold. The example given (absence from the area for the whole voting period) is merely illustrative, not exhaustive. This could result in inconsistent administration, with returning officers unable to objectively verify eligibility, and potentially anyone who claims inconvenience qualifying for electronically assisted voting.","confidence":0.65,"description":"The definition of 'distance voter' for by-elections includes an elector who 'cannot, for another reason, vote at a polling booth during the voting period,' with the example being an elector absent from their local government area for the whole voting period. However, 'another reason' is entirely undefined and open-ended, potentially allowing virtually any elector to self-classify as a distance voter for a by-election on grounds of personal inconvenience, undermining the integrity of the electronically assisted voting class."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.10(b)(iii)-(v)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The legislative structure at sec.10(b) lists sub-items (i) through (v). Items (i) and (ii) are conditional ('if the third party is an individual' / 'if the third party is not an individual'), while items (iii)-(v) are unconditional. This means all third parties — individuals and non-individuals alike — must provide a 'business address'. An individual elector acting as a third party may not have a business address, making compliance potentially impossible. This is an impossible compliance issue for natural persons who are not conducting a business.","confidence":0.72,"description":"The prescribed details for third party registration applications require 'business address', 'telephone number', and 'email address' (items (iii)-(v)) without specifying whether these apply to individuals, non-individuals, or both. The structure implies items (i) and (ii) are mutually exclusive (individual vs non-individual), but items (iii)-(v) appear at the same hierarchical level as (i) and (ii), creating ambiguity about whether individuals must also supply business addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.12(2)(b)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The requirement to include a statement that the donor 'is not a prohibited donor' creates a logical trap. If the relevant entity receives a gift from what turns out to be a prohibited donor, it cannot honestly include the mandated statement while also accurately recording the gift. The regulation provides no mechanism for recording such gifts lawfully. This may force entities to either make a false statement to comply with the recording obligation or omit the record entirely, both of which could constitute separate offences.","confidence":0.68,"description":"Section 12(2)(b) requires a record to include 'a statement that the person who made the gift or loan is not a prohibited donor.' This requires the record-keeper to make a legal conclusion about the donor's status as a condition of record-keeping. If the donor is in fact a prohibited donor, the record would contain a false statement, yet the regulation does not provide an alternative pathway for recording gifts from prohibited donors — it simply mandates the statement regardless."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"sec.25(a)(ii)","severity":"high","reasoning":"Under sec.25(a)(i), the deadline is 7 business days after registration. Under sec.25(a)(ii), it must be at least 24 hours before polling day. If a third party registers (or is required to register) 3 business days before polling day, then 7 business days after that date will fall 4 business days after polling day. The 'but' conjunction connecting (i) and (ii) is ambiguous — it is unclear whether (ii) serves as a floor (the deadline cannot be later than 24 hours before polling day) or a ceiling (the deadline cannot be earlier). If it is a floor and the 7-business-day calculation produces a date after polling day, the provision becomes self-defeating and unenforceable.","confidence":0.78,"description":"Section 25(a) provides that where expenditure is incurred before registration, the disclosure deadline is 7 business days after registration 'but not less than 24 hours before polling day.' This creates a logical impossibility: if registration occurs less than 8 business days before polling day, the two conditions are mathematically irreconcilable — the 7-business-day deadline could fall after polling day, yet the regulation says it must be 'not less than 24 hours before polling day.'"},{"type":"retroactive_impossibility","section":"sec.30","severity":"low","reasoning":"Sections 12-17 are drafted in the present tense as ongoing obligations, yet sec.30 acknowledges that events subject to those obligations may have occurred before 28 June 2023. This implicitly concedes the regulation has retroactive operational effect on record-keeping. The relief provision in sec.30 is well-intentioned but creates an oddity: why would a fresh regulation impose new record-keeping requirements on pre-commencement events at all? The 2012 regulation (repealed by sec.28) presumably governed those prior events.","confidence":0.55,"description":"Section 30 creates a transitional relief mechanism for entities unable to obtain information about events that occurred before commencement (28 June 2023). However, sections 12-17 prescribe record-keeping obligations for ongoing electoral events. The regulation retrospectively imposes record-keeping obligations on pre-commencement events without providing clear guidance on which specific historical events are contemplated, potentially requiring entities to reconstruct records for transactions that occurred under the prior 2012 regulation's framework."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.4 — Capped expenditure period starts 14 August 2023","section_b":"sec.5 — Relevant day for enrolled electors is 1 July 2023","confidence":0.5,"description":"The capped expenditure period (within which expenditure caps apply) commences 14 August 2023, but the enrolled elector count — which under s.123S of the Act determines the cap amount — is fixed as at 1 July 2023, over six weeks earlier. If the elector roll changes materially between 1 July and 14 August 2023, the cap will be calculated on a population figure that does not correspond to the actual electoral population at the start of the regulated period."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.7(2) — 'distance voter' excludes special postal voters and out-of-State voters","section_b":"sec.7(1)(a) — Special postal voters who are not detained are a separate prescribed class","confidence":0.62,"description":"The definition of 'distance voter' expressly excludes special postal voters and out-of-State voters because they are separately enumerated classes in sec.7(1). However, a special postal voter who also lives more than 20km from a polling booth satisfies the geographic criterion for a distance voter but is excluded from that class. This means their access to electronically assisted voting depends entirely on their classification as a 'special postal voter' and that subclass's separate entitlement — but if they are detained (excluded under sec.7(1)(a)), they cannot qualify under either 'distance voter' or 'special postal voter' categories, even though their geographic remoteness would otherwise entitle them."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.15(1)(a) — Record obligations for relevant entities apply 'at any time'","section_b":"sec.15(1)(b) — Record obligations for third parties apply only 'during the capped expenditure period'","confidence":0.7,"description":"Section 15 applies record-keeping obligations to relevant entities (non-third parties) for electoral expenditure incurred 'at any time', but limits the same obligations for third parties to expenditure incurred 'during the capped expenditure period.' This creates an asymmetry: a candidate must record all electoral expenditure regardless of when incurred, while a third party need only record expenditure within the capped period. However, sec.15(2)(j) then requires records about expenditure by 'unregistered third parties required to be registered' — implying those third parties have expenditure record obligations beyond the capped period, directly contradicting the limitation in sec.15(1)(b)."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.28 — Repeal of Local Government Electoral Regulation 2012","section_b":"sec.30 — Transitional provision applying secs.12-17 to pre-commencement events","confidence":0.6,"description":"Section 28 repeals the 2012 regulation, which previously governed record-keeping for electoral transactions. Section 30 then applies the new regulation's record-keeping requirements (secs.12-17) to events that occurred before commencement — i.e., events that were governed by the now-repealed 2012 regulation. This creates a contradiction: entities that complied with the 2012 regulation's record-keeping requirements for pre-commencement events could find those records deficient under the 2023 regulation's different requirements, yet the repealed regulation can no longer provide a defence."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.18(a) — 24-hour disclosure deadline when gift received within 7 business days of polling","section_b":"sec.25(a)(ii) — Disclosure deadline must be 'not less than 24 hours before polling day'","confidence":0.65,"description":"Section 18(a) requires disclosure within 24 hours of receipt where a gift is received within 7 business days of polling day — meaning a gift received 24 hours before polling day must be disclosed within 24 hours, i.e. potentially right at or after the close of poll. Section 25(a)(ii) requires third party expenditure disclosures to be made 'not less than 24 hours before polling day'. These provisions apply to different entities and different disclosure types, but they reflect internally inconsistent policy logic: the regime simultaneously contemplates that disclosures can validly occur within the final 24 hours before polling (sec.18) and that disclosures must occur no later than 24 hours before polling (sec.25), creating different transparency standards for candidates versus third parties with no apparent policy justification."}]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation expressly repeals the 2012 instrument (sec 28) and replaces it with updated operational prescriptions: it fixes 2024 election timing and capped‑expenditure start (secs 3–5), prescribes nomination contents and elector classes for electronic voting (secs 6–7), approves electronic procedures (secs 8, 27), sets auditor qualifications (sec 9), and adds detailed record‑keeping and disclosure rules (secs 12–26). These changes update and broaden operational and compliance detail relative to the repealed regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to the Local Government (Elections) Act sections (e.g. ss.23, 32, 68, 75A, 106, 123A, 123S) increase legal linkage and interpretation work.","Detailed, varied record‑keeping requirements for gifts, loans and electoral expenditure with multiple conditional fields (secs 12–17) raise compliance burden for entities.","Multiple disclosure deadlines with proximity‑to‑poll exceptions (secs 18–25) create timing complexity and operational risk for late donations/expenditure.","Prescribed classes of electors for electronically assisted voting and a distance definition (sec 7) introduce factual determinations (who qualifies) that administrators must apply.","Approval of external procedural documents for electronic voting and lodgement (secs 8, 27) embeds administrative discretion and reliance on separate, non‑statutory documents.","Prescribed auditor qualifications (sec 9) tie compliance to external professional registration and membership regimes.","Repeal of the 2012 regulation and transitional provisions (secs 28–30), including a rule for incomplete pre‑commencement records (sec 30), require retrospective administrative decisions.","Frequent cross‑linking to Act subsections (e.g. ss 109C, 109E, 123U, 123V, 127D) means interpreting the regulation requires constant reference to the primary Act."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation replaces the 2012 rules and sets practical election mechanics: it fixes the 2024 quadrennial election date and capped-expenditure start, prescribes what must be on nominations, who may use electronically assisted voting, auditor qualifications, approved electronic procedures, and detailed record‑keeping and disclosure requirements. It imposes reporting deadlines and documentation duties on candidates, parties, third parties and related entities, creating concrete compliance costs and timelines that affect campaign administration and financial transparency."},"summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation stays tightly within its intended scope: procedural and administrative rules for Queensland local government elections, including the 2024 quadrennial election date, voting procedures, candidate nominations, financial disclosure obligations, and record-keeping requirements. It is a technical replacement for the 2012 regulation with updated content to reflect current legislative requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Heavily cross-references the parent Local Government Electoral Act — many provisions only make sense if you can read the Act sections they refer to","Multiple interlocking categories of 'relevant entities' (candidates, groups, parties, third parties, associated entities) with different rules applying to each","Complex record-keeping obligations with nested conditional requirements (e.g. different rules for gifts vs loans, cash vs property, direct vs indirect benefits)","Multiple disclosure deadlines with different trigger events and time periods depending on circumstances","Concepts like 'electoral expenditure', 'capped expenditure period', 'prohibited donor', and 'dedicated account' require understanding of the parent Act to interpret","Transitional provisions layered on top of the substantive rules","Third-party registration and expenditure rules add a separate regulatory track running alongside candidate/party rules"],"plain_english_summary":"This Queensland regulation sets the detailed rules for local government elections (notably the 16 March 2024 polls). It governs who can vote electronically, nomination requirements, strict donor and spending record‑keeping, rapid disclosure deadlines close to polling, and auditor qualifications. It mainly affects voters, candidates, parties, donors and third‑party campaigners and is designed to enforce transparency and accountability around money and conduct in local elections."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard machinery regulation that operationalises the parent Local Government Electoral Act. It sets specific dates, prescribes forms and procedures, and details record-keeping requirements as authorised by the Act. The scope remains tightly focused on administering local government elections and has not expanded beyond the original legislative intent."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross-referencing to the Local Government Electoral Act (the 'Act')—nearly every section refers to specific section numbers in the parent Act","Multiple defined terms used throughout (e.g., 'relevant entity', 'electoral expenditure', 'third party', 'prohibited donor') that require knowledge of the parent Act","Nested conditional logic in disclosure deadlines (different rules depending on timing relative to polling day)","Detailed record-keeping requirements with multiple sub-categories (gifts vs loans, cash vs property, refunds, electoral expenditure arrangements)","Specific technical requirements for electronic voting procedures and electronic lodgement that reference external documents (version 3.0 procedures dated 22 May 2023)","Transitional provision with exception handling (section 30 allows for incomplete records if information is impossible to obtain)"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets the rules for how local government elections work in Queensland. It covers four main areas:\n\n**1. When the 2024 election happens**\n- The election is set for **16 March 2024**\n- The spending cap period (when candidates and parties must limit their campaign spending) starts on **14 August 2023**\n- The cut-off date for working out how many voters are enrolled is **1 July 2023**\n\n**2. Who can vote electronically and how to run for office**\n- **Who can use electronic voting**: Special postal voters, people who live more than 20km from a polling booth (\"distance voters\"), and people who are out of Queensland during the voting period\n- **What candidates must disclose when nominating**: Their name, address, occupation, and whether a political party endorses them\n- **Who can audit campaign finances**: Registered auditors or members of recognised accounting bodies (CPA, IPA, or Chartered Accountants)\n\n**3. Record-keeping and financial disclosure**\n- **What records campaigns must keep**: Detailed records of all gifts (donations), loans, and electoral spending (campaign expenses), including who gave money, how much, and what it was spent on\n- **When disclosures are due**: Generally within 7 business days, but if received within a week of polling day, within 24 hours\n- **Third parties** (groups or individuals campaigning for or against candidates) must also register and disclose their spending\n\n**4. Replacing old rules**\n- This regulation replaces the 2012 version\n- If something happened before this regulation started but needs to be recorded, you won't be penalised if you can't get the information—as long as you explain why\n\n**Why it matters**: This regulation ensures transparency in local council elections. Voters can see who is funding candidates and how much is being spent. It also sets practical rules for running the election, like dates and who can use electronic voting."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023","history":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/local-government-electoral-regulation-2023/documents"}}