Political Controversy Surrounds Queensland Minister’s Voting Enrolment
The Crisafulli government has found itself in a political storm after revelations surfaced about the voting enrolment of Tim Mander, the state’s Sports and Racing Minister and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mander, who has represented the electorate of Everton since 2012, is now under scrutiny for being enrolled to vote at the address of a staffer rather than residing within his own electorate.
Mander’s electorate covers suburbs in Brisbane’s northwest, including Everton Park, Gaythorne, Albany Creek, and Eatons Hill. The former NRL referee separated from his wife, Gayle, at the start of last year. In July, he and Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm publicly confirmed their relationship to Premier David Crisafulli.
At a recent cabinet meeting, it was reported that Mander and Camm had purchased a property together in Brisbane’s CBD. This revelation raised further questions about where Mander has been living since his separation from his wife.
According to reports, Mander has been spending most of his time in accommodation attached to Parliament House. He was found to be enrolled to vote at a rental home of a staffer in Arana Hills, although he does not reside there.
Mander claims he has always complied with the Electoral Commission requirements. However, Queensland Deputy Labor Leader Cameron Dick has called for Mander to answer serious questions about the situation, including whether he may have broken the law by providing false or misleading information to the Electoral Commission.
Under Queensland’s Criminal Code, anyone who gives false or misleading information to the Electoral Commission could face up to seven years in prison if found guilty. Dick emphasized the need for transparency, urging Mander to ask the Electoral Commission to release his enrolment forms to clarify when and where he changed his address.
“If Mr Mander can’t be trusted to be honest about where he’s living and where he is enrolled to vote in Queensland, how can they trust him for other things?” Dick questioned.
It is important to note that MPs are not legally required to live in the electorate they represent. State members can enrol to vote in their own electorate if they provide special notice to the commission.
In a statement provided to this masthead, Mander said he “updated the Electoral Commission of Queensland with the correct details when my circumstances have changed.” He added, “I am currently enrolled at my permanent address, and I have complied with my requirements to the ECQ at all times.”
Earlier in the day, Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie was asked about the revelations but refused to comment on the MP’s living arrangements. Purdie stated, “We’ve got a redistribution coming up, and they happen all the time, and MPs end up living in their electorate and living out of their electorate.”
“There’s no requirement [to live in your electorate], so you disclose where you live. I’m not going to comment on the decision that someone made in the best interest of themselves or their situation … it’s a personal issue.”
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