A ban on developer donations to political parties and laws that would broaden the Queensland government's powers in responding to council corruption are set to pass state Parliament this week.
New legislation blocking property developers making donations to parties was one of the recommendations from the state corruption watchdog's Operation Belcarra report, which found widespread flouting of donation rules in the 2016 local government elections.
The Liberal National Party will oppose the laws, which if passed by the majority Labor government will apply retrospectively to last year's state election campaign.
Amendments that would also allow the local government minister to automatically suspend with pay any mayor or councillor charged with corruption or integrity offences will be introduced.
It would give Stirling Hinchliffe the capacity to sack or suspend a council, councillor or mayor where it is deemed in the public interest.
It comes after a series of charges against council officials from across the state, most particularly in Ipswich where the council has had two mayors and two CEOs charged by Queensland's corruption watchdog.
Parliamentarians and their staff will also need police clearance under laws that will be introduced in response to the revelation last year that one of then-child safety minister Sharon Fentiman's electoral officers had a criminal record for child pornography.
The man was employed by the Queensland parliament, which did not conduct a criminal check.
He was made to resign immediately after the discovery.
Australian Associated Press
