Commitments and expectations

The ECQ is the independent regulator of election participants in Queensland.

To support this work in the 2024 state general election, the ECQ has developed an Election Compliance Approach and a set of commitments outlining the expectations for everyone.

Your commitments

The ECQ expects you (as an electoral participant) to:

  • learn from previous enforcement actions or warnings and not repeat the same offences,
  • educate yourself about your obligations and read any correspondence issued by the ECQ,
  • ask us (the ECQ) for assistance if you need to. We’ll help resolve any issues and clarify your obligations,
  • cooperate with us to resolve any non-compliance matters. This includes taking remedial action if we request you to, and
  • keep any records that relate to the election for a minimum of five years. If we ask you for these, you’ll need to provide them to us.

Learn more about the importance of these commitments by referring to our 2020 election case studies.

Our commitments

The ECQ takes its commitments to electoral compliance seriously.

During and after the 2020 state general election we:

  • conducted roughly 150 compliance reviews,
  • provided education to stakeholders about how to meet their obligations,
  • issued over 60 fines for non-compliance with a range of electoral regulations, and

In 2024 we will continue to:

  • help electoral participants such as candidates and registered political party agents meet their obligations,
  • respond to notifications about non-compliance, and
  • take enforcement action, where appropriate, within statutory timeframes.

During an election, we can receive many reports of non-compliance.

Not every report can be resolved before election day, but we may be able to respond sooner if you send us evidence, such as:

  • real-time photographs and/or video of non-compliant signage,
  • correspondence, and
  • statutory declarations.

More detail about our commitments is available in the ECQ’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy for Funding and Disclosure Obligations.

The focus of the ECQ’s resources will vary depending on the election phase. Further information about the ECQ’s activities at each phase of the election is available on the ECQ’s website.

2020 election case studies

Read our case studies to learn more about the importance of understanding and meeting your funding and disclosure obligations.

Reporting potential non-compliance (including self-reporting)

Use the below lists to contact the right authority.

For:

  • disclosure and bank account requirements (including notifications about potential non-compliance),
  • expenditure caps,
  • prohibited donations,
  • political donation caps
  • accessing and using the Electronic Disclosure System,
  • third-party campaign activity (including registration of third-parties), and
  • authorisation of election material
  • election signs at polling venues

contact the ECQ’s Funding, Disclosure and Compliance team on 1300 881 665 or email fad@ecq.qld.gov.au.

For candidate or candidate worker conduct, contact the Returning Officer in the first instance if the behaviour is at a polling place and affecting voting or contact the Queensland Police Service if the behaviour involves violence (dial 000 for emergencies).

For stolen or damaged election signs, contact the Queensland Police Service.

For election sign placement, contact the local Council if on a local road or the Department of Transport and Main Roads if on a State-controlled road.

For complaints about corrupt conduct, contact the Crime and Corruption Commission.