Southern Downs voters hit with double whammy at polls
SOUTHERN Downs voters will not only vote for a new council on March 19, they will also decide how long Queensland premiers will serve in the future.
The State Government has thrown a spanner in the works for next month's election, opting to tie in a referendum on parliamentary terms.
The referendum, supported by both major parties, will ask Queenslanders whether the government should sit for a fixed four-year term.
Currently, Queensland and Tasmania are the only states without fixed terms.
The referendum was announced at the weekend, following the much anticipated notice of council elections on Saturday.
Voters will have until Friday to update their enrolment or enrol to vote, with the electoral role closing at 5pm.
Candidates, on the other hand, have less than two weeks to decide their future, with nominations closing on February 16.
Ballot papers will start arriving in the mail from the first week of March.
All ballot papers must be returned by March 29.
The ballot draw will take place at 10am on Wednesday, February 17.
