Queensland’s electoral commission has warned candidates to behave amid a “highly acrimonious” Redland city council election campaign that has sparked the largest number of complaints across the state.
An email sent to all Redland city council election candidates this week threatened potential legal ramifications for “non-compliant behaviour” – but did not single anyone out.
The council in south-east Queensland is where former federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming is running for mayor, alongside opponents, Jos Mitchell and Cindy Corrie. The Guardian is not suggesting they have engaged in any wrongdoing.
Guardian Australia reported earlier this month on controversies surrounding the mayoral race, with locals saying the atmosphere had become “unpleasant” and “toxic”.
Along with three mayoral candidates, 20 people have nominated for councillor positions across 10 divisions in Redland city council, with early-voting already under way ahead of polling day on 16 March.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) told candidates the “significant volume” of complaints suggested “an unusual level of potentially non-compliant behaviour has led to the emergence of a highly acrimonious campaigning environment”.
“Despite robust contests being underway across Queensland’s 77 local governments, there is no other council which the ECQ is currently aware of where this same level of acrimony, complaint burden and related behaviour is present,” the email said.
The ECQ said it was concerned about electoral integrity being under threat, with voters complaining of being approached “in a physically intimidating manner” and obstructed from accessing early voting centres.
Voters have also complained to the ECQ about the manner in which candidates have engaged with each other at early voting centres, according to the email.
The commission warned some of the complaints potentially constitute offences warranting police involvement.
The ECQ reminded candidates that wilfully obstructing or disturbing “any proceeding at an election” is an offence punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, while candidates could face up to two years’ imprisonment if they are found to influence a person’s vote by violence or intimidation.
“All candidates should be aware that any behaviour which is likely to interfere with the proper conduct of the election … will be taken seriously and the ECQ will not hesitate to take action … where there is clear evidence of non-compliance,” the email read.
“The ECQ … urges all candidates … to reflect on the above matters in this final week of voting and take proactive steps to establish a respectful campaigning environment.”
In response to questions about the ECQ’s letter, Laming, the former member for Bowman, told Guardian Australia his Redland city council mayoral campaign has been “exemplary.”
“My volunteers have been respectful at all times. I have remained policy-focused … and I have told my team to ignore provocation,” he said.
Guardian Australia has contacted Jos Michell, Cindy Corrie, the ECQ and Queensland’s local government minister for comment.
