Mackay Regional Councillor Nathenea McRae has called for the $4.1 million in fines issued to residents who failed to vote in the recent council by-election to be redirected back to Mackay Regional Council, helping to offset the $566,101.13 cost of running the election.
Cr McRae’s motion, passed by Council in September, proposes that “the money received by the ECQ from non-voting fines associated with the council by-election be redirected to Mackay Council to reimburse the full cost of conducting the by-election,” and that “the State Government give consideration to establishing a legislative or administrative mechanism to ensure that future by-election costs incurred by local governments can be offset where there is significant fine revenue generated by the ECQ.”
Cr McRae said the idea came after learning how many residents had not voted and the large sum that would be collected through fines.
“When I saw the figures come in, I thought it was quite shocking… 24,766 people didn’t vote,” Cr McRae said.
“With fines at $166.90 each, that’s about $4.1 million in revenue. Meanwhile, ratepayers have had to cover more than half a million dollars to run the by-election.”
She acknowledged that while the proposal was unprecedented, it was worth pursuing in the interests of fairness and community benefit.
“There’s no precedent for this kind of request, and it’s never happened before,” she said.
“I do acknowledge it’s unlikely the proposal will be accepted, but even by raising the matter, it might prompt broader discussions about electoral funding and voter engagement strategies.”
Cr McRae said her motivation was simply to ensure ratepayer funds are directed toward improving local services rather than covering state-managed election costs.
“We can only try for the people, and that’s what I’m here for, to represent them,” she said.
“If we could get this win, I would be extremely proud…It would be amazing because that money could be redirected into things like our roads, parks, housing, workforce development and other community priorities.”
Letters of support have been sent to the Attorney-General and the Minister for Local Government, Meaghan Scanlon, with Council now awaiting a formal response.
Mackay Regional Councillor Nathanea McRae is calling for $4.1 million in by-election fines to be redirected back to Council to offset the $566,101.13 election cost, arguing the funds should support local services. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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