Ensayos No Clasificatorios

161 What this division is about

(1) This division is about when a councillor’s office becomes vacant, and the way in which the vacancy is to be filled. (2) The way in which a vacancy is to be filled depends on—

(a) whether the vacancy is in the office of the mayor or of another councillor; and

(b) if the vacancy is in the office of another councillor—whether the office becomes vacant during the beginning, middle or end of the council’s term. (3) The beginning of the council’s term is the period of 12

months that—

(a) starts on the day when the last quadrennial elections were held; and

(b) ends on the day before the first anniversary of the last quadrennial elections.

(4) The middle of the council’s term is the period of 24 months that—

(a) starts on the first anniversary of the last quadrennial elections; and

(b) ends on the day before the final part of the council’s term starts.

(5) The final part of the council’s term is the period that— (a) starts 36 months after the last quadrennial elections

were held; and

(b) ends on the day before the next quadrennial elections are held.

162 When a councillor’s office becomes vacant

A councillor’s office becomes vacant if the councillor— (a) ceases to be qualified to be a councillor under division

1; or

(b) is found, on a judicial review, to be ineligible to continue to be a councillor; or

(c) does not comply with section 169; or

(d) is absent, without the council’s leave, from 2 or more consecutive ordinary meetings of the council over at least 2 months; or

(e) resigns as a councillor by signed notice of resignation given to the chief executive officer; or

(f) dies; or

163 When a vacancy in an office must be filled

(1) This section explains when a vacant office of a councillor (including the mayor) must be filled.

(2) If a councillor’s office (other than the mayor’s office) becomes vacant 12 months or more before quadrennial elections are required to be held, the council must fill the vacant office.

(3) If the mayor’s office becomes vacant before quadrennial elections are required to be held, the council must fill the vacant office.

(4) The council must fill the vacant office within 2 months after the office becomes vacant.

(5) If the council does not do so, the Governor in Council may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant office.

(6) If a councillor’s office (other than the mayor’s office) becomes vacant within 3 months of when quadrennial elections are required to be held, the council may decide not to fill the vacant office.

164 Filling a vacancy in the office of mayor

(1) This section applies if the council is to fill a vacant office of a mayor.

(2) The vacant office must be filled by—

(a) if the mayor’s office becomes vacant 12 months or less before quadrennial elections are required to be held—the council appointing, by resolution, another councillor to the office; or

(b) otherwise—a by-election.

165 Acting mayor

(1) The deputy mayor acts for the mayor during—

(b) a vacancy in the office of mayor. (2) If—

(a) the office of mayor is vacant and the deputy mayor is prevented, by absence or temporary incapacity, from acting as the mayor; or

(b) the mayor and deputy mayor are both prevented, by absence or temporary incapacity, from performing the role of mayor; or

(c) the offices of both the mayor and deputy mayor are vacant;

the council may, by resolution, appoint an acting mayor from its councillors.

(3) The council may, by resolution, declare that the office of deputy mayor is vacant.

(4) The resolution may be passed only if written notice of the resolution has been given to the councillors at least 14 days before the meeting.

(5) If the council declares that the office of deputy mayor is vacant, it must immediately appoint another deputy mayor from its councillors.

166 Filling a vacancy in the office of another councillor

(1) This section applies if the council is to fill a vacant office of a councillor (the former councillor) who is not the mayor. (2) If the office becomes vacant during the beginning or middle of

the council’s term, the vacant office must be filled by a by-election.

(3) If the office becomes vacant during the final part of the council’s term, the vacant office must be filled by the council appointing, by resolution, a person who is—

(b) if the former councillor was elected or appointed to office as a political party’s nominee—the political party’s nominee.

(4) If the person who is to be appointed is to be the political party’s nominee, the chief executive officer must request the political party to advise the full name and address of its nominee.

(5) The request must be made by a written notice given to the political party’s registered officer, within 14 days after the office becomes vacant.

(6) If the person who is to be appointed need not be a political party’s nominee, the chief executive officer must, within 14 days after the office becomes vacant, invite nominations from—

(a) any person who is qualified to be a councillor, by written notice published—

(i) in a newspaper that is circulating generally in Brisbane; and

(ii) on the council’s website; and

(b) each person who was a candidate for the office of the former councillor at the last quadrennial elections for the council, by written notice.

(7) If the chief executive officer receives any nominations from qualified persons or candidates, the council must fill the vacant office by appointing one of those persons or candidates.