2025 Media statements

Mareeba Shire Council by-election candidates announced

18 March 2025

Five candidates are in the running to be the next Councillor for the Mareeba Shire Council following the ballot paper draw, which was undertaken today.

The draw was conducted following the close of nominations at noon.

Candidates in ballot paper order for the by-election are:

• Mladen BOSNIC
• Gaye TAYLOR
• Alan PEDERSEN
• Robyn DRURY
• Carol CHONG

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said it was good to see candidates willing to represent their community ahead of the Saturday 5 April by-election. 

“Now that electors know who is running, they can start to decide who they want as their new councillor representing them in local government issues,” Mr Vidgen said. 

“This by-election is a full postal ballot so electors don’t need to visit a polling booth, instead they will soon receive their voting materials in the mail. 

“Voters can complete their ballot paper as soon as their materials arrive, and they must do that before 6pm election day, on Saturday 5 April 2025.

“Please be sure to follow the instructions carefully, including signing the declaration envelope and making sure it is signed by a witness. 

“For your vote to count, we must receive your completed ballot paper by 5pm Tuesday 15 April 2025,” he said.

Mr Vidgen reminded the approximately 16,300 enrolled voters in living in the Mareeba Shire Council area that voting is compulsory and failure to vote can attract a $161 fine.

Keep up to date with the Mareeba Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website at ecq.qld.gov.au/mareeba, on socials @electoralcommissionqld or call us on 1300 881 665 for more information. 

ENDS

If you didn't vote in the 2024 State election, we want to know why

17 March 2025

The Electoral Commission of Queensland will be writing to approximately 350,000 Queenslanders who have appeared not to have voted in the 2024 State election.

Electoral Commissioner of Queensland, Pat Vidgen said writing to those who didn’t vote, emphasises that voting is compulsory in Australia.

“Voting is a democratic right that comes with responsibility,” Mr Vidgen said.

“Queenslanders have a responsibility to vote for their government representative as part of our democracy,” he said.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) makes it very easy for people to vote during an election. People can choose from early voting, postal voting, election day voting and telephone voting (for eligible voters).

However, the ECQ acknowledges that life can be complex and unpredictable, and voters may have a genuinely valid reason for not casting their vote, Mr Vidgen said.

“We recognise that there might be circumstances where someone hasn’t been able to vote, so we want to give people an opportunity to share their reason for not voting with us.

“After an election, records are checked to find those who have not voted.

“We want to know the reason why people didn’t vote, so we’re sending 350,000 people an ’Apparent failure to vote notice’.” 

Voters who receive a notice can provide a valid reason for not voting, provide details if they did vote and weren’t marked off, or pay half the full penalty of $80 before the due date.

If the ECQ does not hear from the apparent non-voter, or if a reason provided is not considered valid or sufficient, a penalty infringement notice will be sent and a full penalty of one unit or $161 will apply.

For those who choose to ignore the infringement notice, the matter will be referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER), where extra charges may apply.

“Don’t delay acting on the ‘apparent failure to vote notice’ if you receive one,” Mr Vidgen said.

For more information, visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Mareeba council by-election announced for 5 April 2025

10 March 2025

More than 16,000 people will go back to the polls to elect a replacement councillor at the Mareeba Shire Council at a by-election planned for Saturday 5 April 2025.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) confirmed the by-election would be a full postal ballot for residents enrolled in the Mareeba community.

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said nominations for the councillor position were now open, and he encouraged anyone wanting to represent their community to nominate before 12 noon on 18 March 2025.

“There are several important steps which must be undertaken when nominating, so I urge anyone interested to do this as soon as possible,” Mr Vidgen said. 

Potential candidates must make sure they are eligible to nominate, pay a deposit of $250, open a dedicated campaign bank account and complete the free ‘So you want to be a councillor’ online training through the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers website. 

Each independent candidate must be endorsed by at least six eligible nominators currently enrolled in Mareeba Shire Council. Information for candidates is on the Election Participants page of the ECQ’s website.

“Voters will be sent postal vote materials in the mail, so it’s important to make sure your enrolment details are up to date,” he said. 

If you have changed your address or are enrolling for the first time, you must update your details or enrol by 5pm on Monday 17 March 2025 at the Australian Electoral Commission’s website. 

"Postal votes will be sent shortly after the close of nominations and the draw for ballot paper order is finalised," said Mr Vidgen.

“Please keep an eye out for your ballot materials in the mail." 

The Mareeba Shire Council by-election results from the passing of Councillor Kevin Davies on 14 January 2025.

Keep up to date with the Mareeba Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website, on social media @electoralcommissionqld or call us on 1300 881 665 for more information. 

ENDS

Background

• Notice of election - Monday 10 March 2025
• Close of roll - Monday 17 March 2025
• Close of nominations and ballot draw - Thursday 18 March 2025
• Election Day - Saturday 5 April 2025 by
• Return of postal ballot cut-off - 5pm Tuesday 15 April 2025