The Electoral Commission of Queensland, like any such body that regulates free and fair elections in other parts of Australia and the world, must retain its unequivocal independence from any form of political, statutory interference.
In the spirit of true democracy, it must never be able to be manipulated by the government of the day in any manner whatsoever.
For that to ever happen inevitably means that it would lose its apolitical status, at least in principle. If not in practice as well.
Which makes Premier Palaszczuk's and the State Government's new laws aimed at greatly diminishing the ECQ's independence seem both puzzling and troubling.
What is the agenda behind it? Is this Labor's 21st century version of tampering with the electoral system in Queensland like Bjelke- Petersen's gerrymander of the 1980's?
Basically, the question is - what is Palaszczuk on about? Why she is bothering to go down this path? Who, besides her, devised the agenda to implement these new laws?
These are questions which the premier has to be asked by not only the media, but by the LNP opposition in parliament, and she must provide an explanation as to what is behind it.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland has been carrying out its functions for at least 30 years smoothly, efficiently and appropriately.
Nothing about its functions is broken or not working satisfactory. Nothing needs to be fixed. So Premier Palaszczuk - please explain.
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