ONLINE councillor training is not enough to ensure accountability and transparency, Division 2 candidate Callen Sorensen Karklis says.
Introduced in the lead-up to the March 2020 council elections, the mandatory training includes information on candidates' obligations to report donations and expenditure during their campaign and their responsibilities once elected. Face-to-face training would be offered as an alternative to the online sessions.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said it would mean elected officials had a better understanding of their responsibilities and obligations when serving their communities.
"Running for public office is not something to be taken lightly (and) it's important that residents who want to run for council as either a mayor or a councillor need as much information and help as they can get."
Mr Sorensen Karklis said he had completed the course and thought it was a start, but it did not go far enough.
"It makes a great deal of sense to complete training and for all candidates running... to commit to this by state law. That said...I don't think the course goes far enough considering the (alleged) lack of transparency and accountability from several councillors and local councils... in recent years like Ipswich and Logan.
"Considering that the training can be done online I don't think it's wise that these modules aren't assessed beyond several online quizzes and information sessions that only take several hours to complete.
"What's stopping a candidate...from paying off somebody to finish the course for them online? There needs to be more accountability.
"It also might be an idea to assess all candidates for public office in person much like any other job interview or induction that takes place. People have a right to know who (they) wish to employ as elected representatives."
Mr Hinchliffe said feedback from the course had been excellent. As of November 25, more than 800 people had enrolled in the course and 116 people had registered for face-to-face help.
"(The training) grew from many conversations about how we could best serve potential mayors and councillors and, while the training stands as it is for the 2020 elections, if improvements can be made then they will be considered."
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