THE Queensland Government has introduced a raft of changes for candidates intending to run in next March's local government elections, after corruption allegations at Logan City and Ipswich councils.
All candidates for next year's local government elections, including sitting councillors and mayors who plan to run again, are required to complete an online training course before they nominate.
The compulsory training, as a requirement for nomination, was part of changes made in the Other Legislation Amendment Bill, passed on October 16.
It came after 86 corruption-related charges were levelled at 15 councillors and staff at Ipswich City Council.
Redland's Cr Paul Gleeson also faced misconduct and inappropriate conduct charges. He was fined $2100 by the councillor conduct tribunal.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the training was integral to promoting community confidence in the sector.
"Queenslanders deserve representation of the highest calibre and mandatory training will mean they have elected officials who have a better understanding of their responsibilities and obligations when serving their communities," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"This was an important recommendation in the Crime and Corruption Commission's Operation Belcarra Report and will make sure all candidates go in with their eyes wide open about what is required during the campaign and as a councillor once elected."
Already, there have been more than 200 enrolments, 124 completions, 27 nominations for face-to-face training, 28 completions of the evaluation survey and 33 calls to the hotline.
The training includes information such as obligations in relation to reporting donations and expenditure during the campaign as well as the requirement to have a dedicated bank account.
It also details responsibilities once elected, such as understanding conflicts of interest and the Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, Callan Sorensen Karklis and Irene Henley have announced they will contest Redland City Council's division 2 seat at Cleveland.