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| Queensland State Election 2009 - What does
it mean to you? |
This edition of Insights has been prepared by Three Plus' Strategic
Government Relations team to inform clients about the process following the
announcement of a Queensland State Election.
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| When is the next State
Election? |
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On 23 February 2009 the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced that the
next election would be held on 21 March 2009, around six months earlier than a
full term.
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The Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh decides the date of the state
election. The Premier must firstly advise the Governor of Queensland, Penny
Wensley of the date. The Governor then issues a writ declaring the election date
and then the Premier would normally hold a press conference or issue a media
statement to announce the date of the election.
Once the Premier has
announced the date of the election, the state will be governed under a
'caretaker government' arrangement.
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| What is "Caretaker
Government"? |
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The caretaker conventions see the dissolution of the Queensland State
Parliament. The day to day business of government is allowed to continue through
the existing bureaucracy, managed by the heads of Departments. In addition,
restricted activity can be undertaken by the State Government
Ministers.
The caretaker period usually ends when the next Ministry is
appointed and sworn in by the Governor, or in the case of an incumbent
government being returned, when the election result is
clear.
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| How long does the State Election
run for? |
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The time from the issue of the writ until polling day can run from 26 to 56
days. This election campaign will run for 27 days. State Parliament does not sit
nor does State Cabinet generally meet during this
period.
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| What can and can’t happen during
the Caretaker Period? |
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The caretaker conventions impose other restrictions on the conduct of the
caretaker government:
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Major policy decisions. The Government will cease taking major
policy decisions except on urgent matters and then only after formal
consultation with the Opposition. The conventions apply to the making of
decisions, not to their announcement. Accordingly, the conventions are not
applied where decisions made before dissolution are announced during the
caretaker period. However, where possible, decisions would normally be announced
ahead of dissolution. |
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Significant appointments. The Government will cease making major
appointments of public officials, but may make acting or short-term
appointments. |
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Major contracts or undertakings. The Government will avoid
entering major contracts or undertakings during the caretaker period. If it is
not possible to defer the commitment until after the caretaker period, for
legal, commercial or other reasons, a Minister could consult the Opposition, or
agencies could deal with the contractor and ensure that contracts include
clauses providing for termination in the event of an incoming government not
wishing to proceed. Similar provisions cover tendering. |
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International negotiations and visits. The Government ordinarily
seeks to defer such major international negotiations, or adopts observer status,
until the end of the caretaker period. |
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Avoiding public service involvement in election activities. The
public service adopts a neutral stance while continuing to advise the
Government. There are several cases, notably the pricing of Opposition election
promises, in which the public service conducts an investigation and report for
the benefit of the electorate at
large. |
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| How do the Caretaker Conventions
affect your business? |
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With the caretaker restrictions and an election environment in mind, Three
Plus advises organisations to develop a strategy to navigate through this period
by using these principles:
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1. Postpone all meetings with Ministers until after the election. If a
meeting cannot wait, be aware that a Minister will be busy campaigning and
consider whether the Minister is likely to be in a position to make a clear
decision or provide firm advice regarding your issue. Explore the possibility of
meeting with departmental officers instead.
2. Timing is everything.
Refrain from any major announcements while the media focuses heavily on the
campaign.
3. Begin the process of identifying specific election
commitments from both major parties that could influence or impact on your
business operations or projects and consider ways you may engage with the new
government post-election as a ‘thought leader’ and also to place specific
emphasis on your project.
4. Be aware that Government positions that
exercise influence on your business operations and projects, such as Ministers,
Directors-General and ministerial staffers, may be filled by new personnel next
term. This presents opportunities to engage with new key influencers early on
for your benefit.
5. Initiate a scan of your business operations and
projects that may be ‘politicised’ or be subject to political comment during the
campaign. Candidates are often seeking to capitalise on local projects by using
them as ‘whipping boys’ for public favour. You should be exploring ways to
mitigate or totally avoid your projects being caught up in this frenzy.
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