Industrial Relations Regulation 2011 (QLD)

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Industrial Relations Regulation 2011

Part 1    Preliminary

1   Short title

This regulation may be cited as the Industrial Relations Regulation 2011.

2   Commencement

This regulation commences on 15 September 2011.

2A   Continued operation and expiry of this regulation

(1)From 1 March 2017, this regulation continues in effect as provided by the transitional regulation, section 5.

Note—

Under the transitional regulation, section 5(2)(b), this regulation is to be read with the changes necessary to make it consistent with, and adapt its operation to, the Act.
(2)This regulation expires when the transitional regulation expires.

Note—

Under section 1085(4) of the Act, the transitional regulation expires 1 year after the day of the commencement of section 1085 of the Act.
(3)In this section—
transitional regulation means the Industrial Relations (Transitional) Regulation 2017.

3   Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 7 defines particular words used in this regulation.

Part 2    Queensland Employment Standards

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   Working out continuous service—Act, s 123

(1)For working out continuous service under section 123(1) of the Act, the following do not break an employee’s continuity of service with the employer—
(a)the employee’s absence from work if there was a reasonable cause for the absence;
(b)the employee’s absence from work because of protected industrial action;
(c)another absence from work by the employee, unless the employer gives the employee notice that the absence from work breaks the employee’s continuity of service.
(2)An employee’s absence from work under subsection (1)(a) does break the continuity of service if—
(a)a decision requires the employee to—
(i)notify the employer of an absence from work; and
(ii)substantiate the reason for the absence; and
(b)the employee does not comply with the decision.
(3)Also, an employee’s absence from work under subsection (1)(a) does break the continuity of service if—
(a)there is no decision mentioned in subsection (2); and
(b)the employee does not promptly notify the employer of—
(i)the employee’s absence from work; and
(ii)the reason for the absence; and
(iii)the likely duration of the absence.
(4)An employee’s absence from work under subsection (1)(b) does break the continuity of service if the commission or a magistrate has decided, in making an order under section 122(1) of the Act, that the absence must be taken to be a break in the continuity of service.
(5)A notice under subsection (1)(c)—
(a)must be given during, or within 14 days after the end of, the absence; and
(b)may be withdrawn by the employer.
(6)If the employer withdraws the notice, it is taken not to have been given.
(7)If an employee’s absence from work does not break the employee’s continuity of service, the period of absence must be included as a period of service in working out the employee’s continuous service for section 123(1).

7   Compensation for commission or piece rate employees—Act, s 124

For section 124(3) of the Act, the amount taken to be payable is the average weekly remuneration payable to the employee—
(a)for an employee who was continuously employed by the employer for 3 months or more immediately before dismissal—in the 3 months before dismissal; or
(b)for an employee who was continuously employed by the employer for a period of less than 3 months immediately before dismissal—in that period.

Part 2A    [Repealed]

7A   [Repealed]

7B   [Repealed]

7C   [Repealed]

7D   [Repealed]

Part 3    Collective bargaining

8   Information to accompany proposed bargaining instrument—Act, s 198

(1)For section 198(1)(c)(ii) of the Act, a proposed bargaining instrument must be accompanied by an affidavit containing the following information—
(a)whether the instrument is for a new business or is a project agreement or a multi-employer agreement;
(b)whether or not the instrument is made with an employee organisation;
(c)the industry in which the employer is engaged;
(d)the name of the relevant award or designated award;
(e)for non-State government employees—each address at which the employees to be covered by the instrument are, or are to be, employed;
(f)the number of male and female employees to be covered by the instrument;
(g)the number of apprentices or trainees to be covered by the instrument;
(h)the name and address of each employer to whom the instrument is to apply;
(i)if the instrument is a project agreement and the project or proposed project has a principal contractor—the principal contractor’s name and address;
(j)if the instrument was negotiated for another person—the person who negotiated the instrument and the person for whom it was negotiated;
(k)the average percentage by which the wages of the employees to be covered by the instrument will increase or decrease under the instrument compared with wages before the instrument;
(l)the steps taken to ensure the things required to be done by sections 169, 171 and 172 of the Actwere done, and in particular, that the terms of the instrument were explained in an appropriate way given the particular circumstances and needs of the employees to be covered by the instrument;
(m)a statement that the employer did not do something mentioned in section 195(b) of the Act;
(n)a statement that the instrument passes the no-disadvantage test under chapter 4, part 5, division 3 of the Act.
(2)The affidavit must be in the form provided for in the rules of court.
(3)For section 198(1)(c)(ii) of the Act, if there is or was a bargaining instrument covering part or all of the employees to be covered by the instrument, the instrument must also be accompanied by the name and instrument number of the bargaining instrument.

10   Protected industrial action—Act, s 237

(1)For section 237(3)(b) of the Act, the prescribed purpose is the assessment of eligibility for, or the calculation of, an entitlement arising from the employee’s employment including, for example—
(a)a superannuation entitlement; and
(b)an authorised leave entitlement; and
(c)an entitlement to remuneration and promotion as affected by seniority; and
(d)an entitlement to notice of, or compensation for, dismissal.
(2)In this section—
authorised leave means leave authorised by—
(a)the employer; or
(b)an industrial instrument; or
(c)an order of a court or tribunal having power to fix wages and other employment conditions; or
(d)the employee’s employment contract; or
(e)a Commonwealth or State law.

Part 4    General protections

10A   Temporary absence—prescribed illness or injury—Act, s 297

(1)This section applies for section 297(1)(a) of the Act.
(2)An illness or injury for which the employee is absent for 2 days or less is a prescribed illness or injury if the employee promptly notifies the employer—
(a)that the illness or injury will cause the employee to be absent from work; and
(b)the approximate period for which the employee will be absent.
(3)An illness or injury for which the employee is absent for more than 2 days is a prescribed illness or injury if the employee—
(a)promptly notifies the employer of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b); and
(b)either—
(i)gives the employer a doctor’s certificate about the nature of the illness or injury and the approximate period for which the employee will be absent; or
(ii)gives the employer other evidence of the illness or injury to the employer’s satisfaction.
(4)However, an illness or injury is not a prescribed illness or injury if the total of the employee’s absences in a 1 year period, arising from 1 or more illnesses or injuries, is more than 3 months.

10B   [Repealed]

10C   [Repealed]

10D   [Repealed]

10E   [Repealed]

10F   [Repealed]

10G   [Repealed]

10H   [Repealed]

Part 4A    [Repealed]

10I   [Repealed]

Part 5    Authorised industrial officers

11   Application for issue of an authority—Act, s 337

For section 337(4)(a) of the Act, an application for an authority must—
(a)be made in the form provided for in the rules of court; and
(b)state whether the person to be authorised is an officer, or employee, of the organisation; and
(c)be signed by the applicant’s president and secretary; and
(d)be accompanied by—
(i)2 passport size (4.5cm x 3.5cm) photographs, each signed on the reverse side by the person; and
(ii)2 specimen signatures of the person verified by the applicant’s president or secretary as being genuine signatures of the person.

Part 6    Overpaid wages

12   Recovering overpaid wages—Act, s 376

The amount prescribed for section 376(4) of the Act is 3/4 of the wages payable for the pay period.

12A   Recovering health employment overpayments—Act, s 948

The amount prescribed for section 948(6) of the Act is 3/4 of the amount that would otherwise be paid to the health employee on the single occasion, disregarding any deductions for any purpose.

Part 7    Fees charged by private employment agents

13   Particulars for written notice—Act, s 400

(1)For section 400(2)(a) of the Act, the following particulars are prescribed—
(a)the name of the person for whom the work is to be undertaken;
(b)the address of the place of work;
(c)the particulars of the work;

Examples—

for modelling work—modelling clothing
for a performer—live theatre
(d)the period of the work;
(e)the gross amount payable to the model or performer by the person for whom the work is to be undertaken;
(f)an itemised list of the fees payable to the agent by the model or performer;
(g)the net amount the model or performer is to receive after payment of the agent’s fees;
(h)if a rate of payment is provided for under an industrial instrument, the details of the instrument and the rate of payment.
(2)In this section—
industrial instrument includes a federal industrial instrument.

14   Prescribed percentage of gross amount payable to model or performer—Act, s 400

For section 400(2)(b) of the Act, the percentage of the gross amount payable to a model or performer for the work mentioned in column 1 of schedule 1 is stated in column 2 of the schedule.

15   Prescribed allowances or payments excluded from gross amount payable to model or performer—Act, s 400

For section 400(2)(b) of the Act, the following allowances or payments are prescribed—
(a)travelling and meal allowance;
(b)holiday pay;
(c)long service leave payments;
(d)superannuation payments;
(e)overtime or penalty payments paid on an irregular basis;

Example of an irregular basis—

A model or performer may occasionally work overtime during the period of the work.
(f)payments for rehearsals.

Part 8    Application to industrial tribunal under chapter 12 of the Act

Division 1 Definition

16   Definition for pt 8

In this part—
industrial tribunal means the court, commission or registrar.

Division 2 Applications, and service and publication of process

17   Applications to industrial tribunal

(1)An application to an industrial tribunal under chapter 12 of the Act must—
(a)be filed in the registry; and
(b)be in the form provided for in the rules of court; and
(c)state the facts and issues the applicant relies on to support the application.
(2)However, subsection (1)(c) does not apply to an application to which section 689 of the Act applies.
(3)If an applicant to an industrial tribunal under chapter 12 of the Act is not the organisation the application is about, the applicant must serve a copy of the application on the organisation within 7 days after filing the application.

18   Applications for registration, change of list of callings or amendment of name or eligibility rules

(1)This section applies to an application for—
(a)registration as an organisation; or
(b)change of list of callings; or
(c)amendment of the name of an organisation, other than an application made for the purpose of section 660 of the Act; or
(d)amendment of eligibility rules of an organisation.
(2)The applicant may file a statement supporting the application when the application is filed.
(3)The applicant must publish notice of the application in the form decided by the registrar within 21 days after the application is filed—
(a)in a newspaper circulating throughout the State; and
(b)if the registrar considers it appropriate—
(i)in another newspaper or publication; or
(ii)on the QIRC website.
(4)The applicant must, within 7 days of publication of the notice—
(a)serve a copy of the notice on each organisation whose callings—
(i)include the callings of the applicant’s members; or
(ii)relate to the applicant’s eligibility rules; and
(b)file in the registry a copy of the relevant section of any newspaper or publication in which the notice was published, showing the date and name of the newspaper or publication.
(5)The application must be dealt with, as far as is practicable, in the order in which it was filed.
(6)Each document accompanying an application for registration as an organisation must be signed and dated by the applicant’s president and secretary.

19   Certain applications must state grounds on which they are made

An application for any of the following must state the grounds on which it is made—
(a)an approval under section 635 of the Act;
(b)an exemption under chapter 12, part 12 of the Act;
(c)cancellation of an exemption under section 824 of the Act;
(d)a deregistration order.

20   Application for exemption—Act, s 802

(1)This section applies to an application for an exemption under section 802 of the Act from holding an election for a stated office.
(2)The application may be made only if each applicant has given each of its members, free of charge, written notice of the details of the application.
(3)An applicant may give the notice by including it in a publication that it gives to its members free of charge.
(4)The application must be accompanied by an affidavit by a member of each applicant’s management committee stating that subsection (2) has been complied with.

21   How making of resolution is to be notified—Act, s 813

For section 813(1)(b) of the Act, the way of notifying a member of the organisation or branch of the making of the resolution is by—
(a)giving the member a copy of the resolution; or
(b)for an organisation or branch that gives its members a publication free of charge—including a notice of the making of the resolution in the publication.

22   Publishing notice—Act, s 814

(1)For section 814 of the Act, a notice stating details of the application must be published in—
(a)a newspaper circulating generally throughout the State; and
(b)any other newspaper or publication the registrar considers appropriate.
(2)The notice must be published within 21 days after the application is filed in the registry.

23   Signing or sealing application for deregistration order—Act, s 879

If an application under section 879 of the Act for a deregistration order is made by an organisation, the application must be—
(a)under the organisation’s seal; or
(b)signed by 2 of the organisation’s officers authorised to sign the application.

24   Application by registrar for deregistration order for defunct organisation—Act, s 879

(1)This section applies if the registrar proposes to apply for a deregistration order for an organisation under section 879(4) of the Act.
(2)The registrar must make appropriate inquiries by letters sent to the—
(a)organisation’s registered office; and
(b)members of the organisation’s management committee last known to the registrar at their addresses last known to the registrar.
(3)If, after the inquiries, the registrar is satisfied the organisation is defunct, the registrar must publish a notice on the QIRC website stating that—
(a)the registrar will apply after 35 days from the notice’s publication for a deregistration order on the ground that the organisation is defunct; and
(b)a person who wants to show cause why the deregistration should not be made may file an objection notice, in the form provided for in the rules of court, in the registry within 35 days of the publication.
(4)If the registrar makes the application, the registrar must ensure the application is accompanied by a copy of any objection notice filed.

Division 3 Objections

25   Who may object—Act, s 894

(1)A person with an appropriate interest in the following kinds of applications may object to the application—
(a)an application for amendment of name other than an application made for the purpose of section 660 of the Act;
(b)an application for amendment of eligibility rules;
(c)an application for a change of list of callings.
(2)A person who has been given written notice under section 20(2) of an application for an exemption under section 802 of the Act may object to the application.
(3)A member of an organisation that has applied for an exemption from the requirement that the electoral commission conduct an election under section 812 of the Act may object to the application.
(4)A person with an appropriate interest in an application by the registrar for a deregistration order under section 879(4) of the Act may object to the application.
(5)A person who may object to an application may give notice of an objection to the industrial tribunal.

26   Notice of objection

(1)This section applies to a notice of objection under—
(a)section 606(1)(b) of the Act; and
(b)section 25(5).
(2)The notice must—
(a)be in the form provided for in the rules of court; and
(b)state the grounds on which the objection is made; and
(c)be filed in the registry within 35 days after—
(i)for an objection to an application under section 802 of the Act—the giving of written notice of the application under section 20(2); or
(ii)for another objection—the publication of the notice of the application to which the objection relates; and
(d)be accompanied by a statement of the facts and issues the objector relies on in support of the objection.
(3)For subsection (2)(c)(i), if written notice of the application was given on more than 1 day under section 20(2), the notice of objection must be filed in the registry within 35 days of the latest day on which notice was given.
(4)A person who gives a notice of objection must serve a copy of the notice on the applicant and any other party to the proceedings within 7 days after filing the notice.
(5)On application, the relevant industrial tribunal may grant leave to extend the period for filing an objection notice.

27   Answering objections—Act, s 894

(1)The applicant may file a written response to an objection in the registry within 14 days after the notice is served on the applicant.
(2)The response must be accompanied by a statement of the facts and issues relied on in support of the response.
(3)The applicant must serve a copy of the response on the person who objected within 7 days after filing the response.

Division 4 Notice of hearing and hearing

28   Hearing application and objections—Act, s 894

(1)This section applies to an application under chapter 12 of the Act other than—
(a)an application made for the purpose of section 660 of the Act; or
(b)an application for an election inquiry under section 688 of the Act.
(2)The industrial tribunal that is to hear the application must—
(a)fix a time and place to hear the application and any objections; and
(b)give at least 7 days notice of the time and place of the hearing to each person who must be given an opportunity to be heard under section 894 of the Act.

29   Notice of hearing

(1)This section applies to a hearing for—
(a)cancellation of an approval under section 638 of the Act; and
(b)amendment of rules under chapter 12, part 6, division 1 of the Act; and
(c)cancellation of an exemption under section 824 of the Act; and
(d)a deregistration order under section 879(3) of the Act.
(2)A notice under section 28(2)(b) of the time and place of the hearing must also state the following information—
(a)if section 654 or 879(3)(b) of the Act applies—the demarcation dispute undertaking to which the hearing relates;
(b)the reasons for the proposed cancellation, amendment or deregistration order;

Example of reasons for paragraph (b)—

If the registrar considers an organisation’s rules contravene the Act, how the rules contravene the Act.
(c)any proposed amendments to the organisation’s rules;
(d)that the organisation may make oral or written submissions to show why—
(i)the exemption or approval should not be cancelled; or
(ii)the rules should not be amended; or
(iii)the deregistration order should not be made;
(e)the person to whom the notice is given may file a written submission within a stated time.

30   Opportunity to make written submissions

Giving a person an opportunity to be heard under section 894 of the Act includes giving the person an opportunity to make written submissions within a time decided by the tribunal.

31   Grounds objector may rely on

(1)An objector may rely only on the grounds stated in the objection notice.
(2)However, the tribunal may allow the objector to rely on another ground if—
(a)the objector gives adequate reasons for doing so; and
(b)the applicant is given an opportunity to be heard.

Part 9    Rules generally

32   Cost of copy of rules—Act, s 616

For section 616(2) of the Act, the amount is $5.00.

Part 10    Model election rules

33   Model election rules—Act, s 642

The model election rules are in schedule 2.

Part 11    Conduct of elections by organisation or branch

34   Prescribed information for elections—Act, s 669

(1)For section 669(1) of the Act, the following information is prescribed—
(a)the name of each office for which an election is required;
(b)whether the election is because—
(i)the term of the office will be ending; or
(ii)there is a casual vacancy in the office; or
(iii)of a new office created under the organisation’s or branch’s rules;
(c)the number of offices for election;
(d)the membership figures, if any, used to calculate the number of offices if—
(i)more than 1 office for which an election is required has the same name; and
(ii)the number of the offices can, under the organisation’s or branch’s rules, be calculated before the prescribed day under subsection (4);
(e)if the electorate consists only of members of a branch, section or other division of an organisation—the name of the branch, section or division;
(f)the day and time of the start and end of the term for each office for which an election is required;
(g)whether the organisation or branch has adopted the model election rules without change;
(h)if the organisation or branch has not adopted the model election rules or has adopted the model election rules with changes—
(i)whether the voting system for the election is a direct voting system or a collegiate electoral system; and
(ii)how the organisation’s or branch’s rules require the result of the election to be decided.
(2)The information under subsection (1)(h) may be given by giving the registrar a copy of the provisions of the organisation’s or branch’s rules that contain the information.
(3)The prescribed information must be accompanied by a statement signed by an authorised officer of the organisation or branch stating the information is being filed under section 669(1) of the Act.
(4)For section 669(2) of the Act, the prescribed day is the day 2 months before the first day on which a person may become a candidate in the election under the organisation’s or branch’s rules.

35   Prescribed particulars for election or ballot result reports—s 119 and Act, ss 676 and 818

(1)This section—
(a)sets out the particulars for section 119; and
(b)prescribes the particulars for an election result report under section 676 or 818 of the Act.
(2)The particulars are as follows—
(a)how many ballot papers were printed;
(b)how many eligible members were on the roll for the election or ballot, including a supplementary roll;
(c)how many ballot papers were given;
(d)how many duplicate ballot papers were given;
(e)how many ballot papers were not given;
(f)how many ballot papers were returned other than as unclaimed mail;
(g)how many ballot papers were returned as unclaimed mail;
(h)how many ballot papers were not returned;
(i)how many votes were informal;
(j)how many votes were rejected for a reason other than being informal and the reason for each rejection;

Examples of reasons for rejection—

For a postal vote, the voter’s voting declaration was—
(a)not filled in or signed; or
(b)not put in the return envelope; or
(c)taken from the return envelope before the manager of the ballot received the return envelope.
(k)how many ballot papers were counted;
(l)the percentage of voters who voted;
(m)how many formal votes were—
(i)for an election—for each candidate; or
(ii)for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal—for and against the proposal;
(n)if a preferential system of voting is used for an election—how many formal votes were for each candidate after distribution of preferences;
(o)if the report is a ballot result report under section 119 and votes about an alternative amalgamation were counted under section 115(2)—
(i)the number of votes for and against the alternative amalgamation; and
(ii)the number of votes that were informal.

36   Declaration of election or ballot result

(1)The manager of an election or ballot must—
(a)make a signed declaration of the result of the election or ballot as soon as possible after the votes for the election or ballot are counted; and
(b)within 1 day of making the declaration, give a copy of it to—
(i)the organisation, branch, or constituent part that the election or ballot was about; and
(ii)for an election—each candidate.
(2)The declaration may be countersigned by a scrutineer.

37   Copies of result reports to be given

The manager of an election or ballot must, within 1 day of the giving of the report for the election under section 676 or 818 of the Act or the ballot under section 119, give a copy of the report to—
(a)the organisation, branch or constituent part that the election or ballot was about; and
(b)for an election—each candidate who asks the manager for a copy of the report.

38   Voters may ask for information about election or ballot

(1)A voter may ask a manager of an election or ballot to give stated information that—
(a)may allow the voter to find out whether there has been an irregularity for the election or ballot; and
(b)is in the manager’s knowledge.

Examples of information a voter may ask for—

whether ballot papers were posted on the same day
if all material required to be given to voters for a ballot was given
(2)The manager must give the information to the voter.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not make an electoral officer liable for an offence.

39   Unauthorised action in conducting election or ballot

A person, other than the manager of an election or ballot, must not do, or purport to do, an act in the conduct of the ballot unless authorised by the manager.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

40   Ballot security

(1)The manager of an election or ballot must ensure each ballot paper for the election—
(a)has a watermark or other distinctive pattern that prevents it from being reproduced other than by the manager or someone authorised by the manager; and
(b)is of paper that will hide a vote marked on it from view when it is folded once.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)However, subsection (1) does not make an electoral officer liable for an offence.

Part 11A    [Repealed]

40A   [Repealed]

Part 12    Finances and accountability

40B   [Repealed]

40C   [Repealed]

40D   [Repealed]

40E   [Repealed]

41   Prescribed requirements for financial policies—Act, s 740

For section 740(1) of the Act, the requirements stated for an organisation’s policy mentioned in schedule 3 are prescribed.

42   Prescribed value for gifts given and received—Act, s 742

For section 742(1)(a)(i)(B) and (1)(c)(i)(B) of the Act, the prescribed value is $150.

43   [Repealed]

44   [Repealed]

45   [Repealed]

46   [Repealed]

47   [Repealed]

47A   [Repealed]

48   [Repealed]

Part 13    Amalgamations and withdrawals

Division 1 Federations

49   Application for recognition as federation

(1)Existing organisations may jointly apply to the commission for recognition as a federation.
(2)The application must—
(a)be filed in the registry before the existing organisations make a ballot application for a proposed amalgamation; and
(b)include the following particulars—
(i)the proposed federation’s name;
(ii)its constituent organisations’ names;
(iii)its address for service;
(iv)its proposed officers’ names; and
(c)be accompanied by a copy of—
(i)the proposed federation’s rules; or
(ii)the agreement about the proposed federation’s functions and powers.
(3)The commission must allow the application if satisfied the existing organisations intend to make a ballot application for the proposed amalgamation within 3 years after being recognised as a federation.
(4)If the application is allowed, the registrar must enter the following particulars in the register kept under section 614(1)(a) of the Act—
(a)the federation’s name;
(b)its constituent organisations’ names.

50   Representation by federation

(1)After it is registered, a federation may represent its constituent organisations and the members of its constituent organisations under the Act.
(2)However—
(a)an organisation belonging to a federation may still represent itself or its members; and
(b)a federation may not become a party to an industrial instrument.

51   Amendment of federation’s composition

(1)A federation may, with the commission’s approval, amend its composition—
(a)if another organisation intends to become concerned in the proposed amalgamation—to include the organisation; or
(b)to release an organisation from the federation.
(2)If a federation amends its composition, the registrar must enter particulars of the amendment in the register kept under section 614(1)(a) of the Act.

52   When federation ends

A federation ends—
(a)on the amalgamation day for the proposed amalgamation; or
(b)if a ballot application for the proposed amalgamation is not made within the period of 3 years after the existing organisations were recognised as a federation—on the day after the end of that period; or
(c)if, on an application by the Minister or by a person or organisation the full bench considers has an appropriate interest, a full bench decides the achievement of an object of this Act is being prevented by the industrial conduct of the federation or any of its constituent organisations—on the day the decision is made.

53   Change in particulars, rules or agreement for federation

(1)This section applies to a federation if there is a change in—
(a)a particular mentioned in section 49(2)(b); or
(b)the federation’s rules; or
(c)the agreement about the federation’s functions and powers.
(2)Within 28 days after the change, the federation is to file in the registry a statement stating full particulars of the change.

Division 2 Community of interest declaration

54   Community of interest declaration for amalgamation

(1)Existing organisations for a proposed amalgamation may jointly apply to the commission for a declaration under this section.
(2)The application must—
(a)state the grounds on which it is made; and
(b)nominate 1 of the applicants as the person authorised to receive on the applicants’ behalf service of documents for the application, a proposed amalgamation and each proposed alternative amalgamation; and
(c)be signed by the president or secretary of each joint applicant; and
(d)be accompanied by a copy of each resolution for the proposed amalgamation under section 57(4), signed by the president or secretary of the applicant whose management committee passed it; and
(e)be filed in the registry before or with the ballot application for the proposed amalgamation.
(3)Service of a document on the person nominated for subsection (2)(b) is taken to be service on each of the applicants.
(4)If the application is filed before the ballot application, the commission must promptly fix a time and place to hear submissions on the application.
(5)If, after a hearing under this section or section 80, the commission is satisfied there is a community of interest between the existing organisations about their industrial interests, it must make a declaration to that effect.
(6)There is a community of interest between existing organisations about their industrial interests if—
(a)a substantial number of members of 1 of the organisations are—
(i)eligible to become members of the other organisation or each of the other organisations; or
(ii)engaged in the same work or industry or in aspects of the same or a similar work or industry as members (other members) of the other organisation or each of the other organisations; or
(iii)bound by the same industrial instruments as other members; or
(iv)for an employee organisation—employed in the same or similar work by employers engaged in the same industry as other members; or
(b)the commission is otherwise satisfied there is a community of interest.

55   End of declaration

(1)A community of interest declaration ends if—
(a)the application for the declaration was filed before a ballot application for the proposed amalgamation is filed; and
(b)a ballot application for the proposed amalgamation is not filed within 6 months after the declaration.
(2)The commission may revoke a community of interest declaration if satisfied there is no longer a community of interest between the existing organisations about their industrial interests.

Division 3 Acting for constituent part

56   Who may act for constituent part

Anything that must or may be done under this part by a constituent part must or may be done by—
(a)a management committee of the constituent part; or
(b)if there is no management committee of the constituent part—the representative constituent member.

Division 4 Amalgamation and withdrawal schemes

57   Management committee approval

(1)A scheme for a proposed amalgamation and any changes to the scheme must be approved by each existing organisation the scheme is about.
(2)A scheme for a proposed withdrawal and any changes to the scheme must be approved by the constituent part seeking to withdraw.
(3)An approval under subsection (1) may be given only by the organisation’s management committee.
(4)The management committee’s approval must be by resolution.
(5)Despite an existing organisation’s rules, the following are taken to have been made under its rules if approved by its management committee’s resolution—
(a)a scheme;
(b)a scheme amendment;
(c)any proposed amendment of its rules in a scheme.

58   Amalgamation or withdrawal scheme

(1)The scheme for a proposed amalgamation must state the following—
(a)the general nature of the amalgamation, showing—
(i)the existing organisations; and
(ii)if an existing organisation is the proposed amalgamated organisation—that fact; and
(iii)if an association proposed to be registered as an organisation is the proposed amalgamated organisation—that fact and its name; and
(iv)the organisations that are proposed to be deregistered;
(b)that all members of the proposed deregistering organisations are to become, on amalgamation, without payment of an entrance fee, members of the amalgamated organisation;
(c)if it is proposed to change an existing organisation’s name—particulars of the proposed change;
(d)if it is proposed to amend an existing organisation’s eligibility and other rules—particulars of the proposed amendments;
(e)if an association is proposed to be registered as an organisation—its eligibility and other rules;
(f)if it is proposed to change an existing organisation’s list of callings—particulars of the proposed change;
(g)the arrangements that will exist on amalgamation in relation to the property of the proposed deregistering organisations;
(h)the arrangements that will exist on amalgamation in relation to the liabilities of the proposed deregistering organisations.
(2)The scheme for a proposed withdrawal must state the following—
(a)the general nature of the withdrawal, showing—
(i)the amalgamated organisation; and
(ii)the name and rules of the proposed newly registered organisation;
(b)that all constituent members are to become on withdrawal, without payment of an entrance fee, members of the newly registered organisation.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not limit the matters stated in a scheme.

59   Alternative schemes for amalgamation

(1)A scheme for a proposed amalgamation of 3 or more existing organisations may have 1 or more alternative schemes for an alternative amalgamation of 2 or more of the existing organisations.
(2)Each alternative scheme must be approved by each existing organisation the alternative amalgamation is about.
(3)Each alternative scheme must show details of the differences between—
(a)the proposed amalgamation and each proposed alternative amalgamation; and
(b)a proposed organisation’s rules, and proposed amendments to the existing organisations’ rules, under—
(i)the proposed amalgamation; and
(ii)each proposed alternative amalgamation.

60   Amending schemes

(1)The commission may, before a ballot for a proposed amalgamation starts, permit the existing organisations for the amalgamation to amend the amalgamation scheme.
(2)The commission may, before a ballot for a proposed withdrawal starts, permit a constituent part to amend the withdrawal scheme.
(3)The permission may—
(a)for a permission to amend a proposed amalgamated organisation’s rules—allow the amendment to be made by resolutions of the existing organisations’ management committees—
(i)as far as the amendment affects the proposed amalgamated organisation or its rules; and
(ii)despite the proposed amalgamated organisation’s rules; and
(b)for a permission to amend an existing organisation’s rules—despite the rules, allow the existing organisation by a resolution of its management committee to amend the rules, other than a proposed amalgamated organisation’s rules; and
(c)for a permission to amend the rules of a proposed newly registered organisation—allow the amendment to be made by the constituent part—
(i)as far as the amendment affects the proposed newly registered organisation or its rules; and
(ii)despite the proposed newly registered organisation’s rules; and
(d)provide for procedures that, despite an organisation’s rules, may or must be followed by a management committee or a constituent part; and
(e)be given on conditions stated by the commission.
(4)If the commission gives the permission on conditions and the conditions are contravened, the commission may—
(a)amend the scheme; or
(b)give directions or make orders about—
(i)holding the ballot; or
(ii)procedures for the amalgamation or withdrawal.
(5)Subsection (4) does not limit the commission’s other powers.
(6)If a scheme is amended, whether under this section or otherwise, the scheme outline must be amended to reflect the amendment.

61   Scheme outlines

(1)A scheme outline must have no more than 3000 words, unless the commission approves otherwise.
(2)The outline may, if the commission approves, include things other than words including, for example, diagrams, illustrations and photographs.
(3)The commission may, before an amalgamation ballot begins, allow the existing organisations seeking amalgamation to amend the outline.
(4)The commission may, before a withdrawal ballot begins, allow the constituent part seeking withdrawal to amend the outline.
(5)The commission may amend the outline to—
(a)correct factual errors; or
(b)ensure it complies with the Act.

Division 5 Applications about ballots

62   Application to submit proposed amalgamation to a ballot

(1)An application may be made to the commission for an amalgamation ballot.
(2)The application must be made jointly by the existing organisations and any association proposed to be registered as an organisation under the amalgamation.
(3)The ballot application must—
(a)be accompanied by—
(i)a copy of the scheme for the proposed amalgamation; and
(ii)a written scheme outline; and
(b)nominate 1 of the applicants as the person authorised to receive on the applicants’ behalf service of documents for the application, proposed amalgamation and each proposed alternative amalgamation; and
(c)be signed by the president or secretary of each joint applicant; and
(d)be accompanied by a copy of each resolution for the proposed amalgamation under section 57, signed by the president or secretary of the existing organisation whose management committee passed it; and
(e)be accompanied by an affidavit by a member of each existing organisation’s management committee stating that subsection (5)(b) has been complied with.
(4)Service of a document on the applicant nominated under subsection (3)(b) is taken to be service on each of the applicants.
(5)An application may be made only if each existing organisation’s management committee has—
(a)resolved to make the application; and
(b)notified each member of the making of the resolution by—
(i)giving the member a copy of the resolution; or
(ii)including the resolution in a publication that the organisation gives to its members free of charge.

63   Application to submit proposed withdrawal to a ballot

(1)An application may be made to the commission for a withdrawal ballot.
(2)However, an application may not be made if—
(a)it is more than 2 years after the amalgamation happened; or
(b)in the year immediately before it is intended to make the application, the commission rejected an application for a withdrawal ballot to be held in relation to the constituent part of the organisation seeking withdrawal; or
(c)an application for a withdrawal ballot has previously been made and granted and the subsequent ballot did not approve the withdrawal.
(3)The application may be made by—
(a)the lesser of—
(i)the number equal to 5% of the constituent members on the day the application is filed; or
(ii)2000 constituent members; or
(b)the management committee of a constituent part.
(4)An application may be made only if the constituent part has given the constituent members notice of the making of the application.
(5)The notice must be given—
(a)personally; or
(b)by post, addressed to the member’s residential address; or
(c)in a publication that the amalgamated organisation or constituent part gives to the constituent members free of charge.
(6)The application must state a person (the representative constituent member) to be the applicant’s representative for the ballot—
(a)to receive documents on the applicant’s behalf; and
(b)for other purposes under this part.
(7)The application must be accompanied by an affidavit by the representative constituent member stating that subsection (4) has been complied with.

64   Amalgamation ballot exemption—number of members

(1)A proposed amalgamated organisation may apply to the commission for an exemption (a ballot exemption) from the requirement to hold a ballot for the amalgamation.
(2)The application may be made only on the ground that the number of persons that could become members of the proposed amalgamated organisation is not more than 25% of the number of members of the applicant when the applicant’s management committee resolved to make the application.
(3)The application must—
(a)be filed in the registry together with the ballot application for the amalgamation; and
(b)state the ground on which it is made; and
(c)be signed by the president or secretary of the applicant; and
(d)be accompanied by an affidavit by a member of the applicant’s management committee stating that subsection (4)(b) has been complied with.
(4)An application may be made only if the applicant’s management committee has—
(a)resolved to make the application; and
(b)notified the organisation’s members of the making of the resolution by—
(i)giving each member a copy of the resolution; or
(ii)including it in a publication the organisation gives to its members free of charge.

65   Amalgamation ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

(1)This section applies if—
(a)an organisation’s counterpart federal body has amalgamated with another organisation’s counterpart federal body under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act; and
(b)the organisations propose to amalgamate under the Act.
(2)The organisations may apply to the commission for an exemption from holding an amalgamation ballot.
(3)The application must—
(a)be filed in the registry with the ballot application for the amalgamation; and
(b)state the grounds on which it is made; and
(c)be signed by the president or secretary of each organisation; and
(d)be accompanied by an affidavit by a member of each applicant’s management committee stating that subsection (4)(b) and (c) has been complied with.
(4)An application may be made only if the management committee of each organisation has—
(a)resolved to make the application; and
(b)notified each member of the making of the resolution by—
(i)giving the member a copy of the resolution; or
(ii)including the resolution in a publication that the organisation gives to its members free of charge; and
(c)notified each member of the member’s right to object to the application under section 75 either—
(i)personally; or
(ii)by post, addressed to the member’s residential address; or
(iii)by including notice of the right in a publication the organisation gives to its members free of charge.

66   Withdrawal ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a ballot has been held under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act to decide whether a constituent part of an amalgamated organisation under that Act should withdraw from the organisation; and
(b)the constituent part has been registered as an organisation under section 110 of the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act.
(2)The constituent part may apply to the commission for an exemption from holding a withdrawal ballot.
(3)The application must—
(a)be filed in the registry with the ballot application for the withdrawal; and
(b)state the grounds on which it is made; and
(c)be signed by the representative constituent member; and
(d)be accompanied by an affidavit by the representative constituent member stating that subsection (4) has been complied with.
(4)An application may be made only if the constituent part has given each constituent member notice of the making of the application and of the member’s right to object to the application under section 76 either—
(a)personally; or
(b)by post, addressed to the member’s residential address; or
(c)by including it in a publication that the amalgamated organisation or constituent part gives to the constituent members free of charge.

67   Application for alternative ballot

(1)An existing organisation may apply to the commission for approval for an amalgamation ballot that is not a postal ballot (an alternative ballot).
(2)A constituent part may apply to the commission for approval for a withdrawal ballot that is not a postal ballot (also an alternative ballot).
(3)The application must—
(a)be filed in the registry with the ballot application for the amalgamation or withdrawal; and
(b)state, or be accompanied by, the proposal for the alternative ballot; and
(c)for an amalgamation ballot—
(i)be signed by the applicant’s president or secretary; and
(ii)be accompanied by an affidavit by a member of the applicant’s management committee stating that subsection (4) has been complied with; and
(d)for a withdrawal ballot—
(i)be signed by the applicant’s representative constituent member; and
(ii)be accompanied by an affidavit by the applicant’s representative constituent member stating that subsection (5) has been complied with.
(4)An application for an amalgamation ballot may be made only if the applicant’s management committee has—
(a)resolved to make the application; and
(b)notified each member of the making of the resolution by—
(i)giving the member a copy of the resolution; or
(ii)including it in a publication that the organisation gives to its members free of charge.
(5)An application for a withdrawal ballot may be made only if the constituent part has given each member notice of the making of the application either—
(a)personally; or
(b)by post, addressed to the member’s residential address; or
(c)by including it in a publication that the amalgamated organisation or constituent part gives to the constituent members free of charge.
(6)The alternative ballot must provide—
(a)that the ballot is to be—
(i)a secret ballot of the existing organisation’s members or constituent members who have a right to vote in the ballot; and
(ii)held at meetings of the members; and
(iii)carried out by the electoral commission; and
(iv)otherwise held under the Act; and
(b)that members are to be given at least 21 days notice of—
(i)the meetings; and
(ii)the things to be considered at the meetings; and
(iii)each member’s entitlement to an absentee vote; and
(c)for the posting of the scheme outline and the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cases under section 100; and
(d)for absentee voting.

68   Withdrawing from application

(1)A party to an application under section 54(1) or 62(1) may file a notice of the withdrawal of the application in the registry.
(2)If a notice is filed under subsection (1), the registrar must take the steps the registrar considers are necessary to ensure the notice is brought to the attention of the organisations, associations and persons likely to be affected by the withdrawal.
(3)The parties to an application under section 54(1) or 62(1) may jointly file a notice of withdrawal of the application in the registry.
(4)An applicant under section 63(1), 64(1), 65(2), 66(2) or 67 may file a notice of withdrawal of the application in the registry.
(5)A party or applicant filing a notice of withdrawal must file with the notice a statement that the party’s or applicant’s management committee has passed a resolution approving the withdrawal of the application.
(6)However, if an applicant has no management committee, the applicant must file with the notice a statement that the applicant has passed a resolution approving the withdrawal of the application.
(7)The statement must be signed by an authorised officer of the party or applicant or the representative constituent member.

Division 6 ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ case

69   Filing ‘yes’ case

(1)An existing organisation for a proposed amalgamation may file in the registry a written statement (a ‘yes’ case) supporting—
(a)the proposed principal amalgamation; and
(b)each proposed alternative amalgamation.
(2)A constituent part that wants to withdraw from an amalgamated organisation may file a written statement (also a ‘yes’ case) supporting the withdrawal.
(3)A ‘yes’ case must not be more than 2000 words.
(4)A ‘yes’ case must be filed with the ballot application for the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal.

70   Filing ‘no’ case

(1)The number of members mentioned in subsection (2) of an existing organisation for a proposed amalgamation may file in the registry a written statement (a ‘no’ case) opposing either or both of the following—
(a)the proposed amalgamation;
(b)each proposed alternative amalgamation.
(2)The number of members filing a ‘no’ case for an amalgamation must be at least the lesser of—
(a)5% of the organisation’s total members when the ballot application for the proposed amalgamation was filed; or
(b)1000.
(3)The number of members mentioned in subsection (4) of an amalgamated organisation from which a constituent part wants to withdraw may file in the registry a written statement (also a ‘no’ case) opposing the proposed withdrawal.
(4)The number of members filing a ‘no’ case for a withdrawal must be at least the lesser of—
(a)5% of the constituent members when the ballot application for the proposed withdrawal was filed; or
(b)1000.
(5)A ‘no’ case must be—
(a)filed no later than 7 days before the hearing for the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal; and
(b)not more than 2000 words.

71   Commission statements

(1)If 2 or more ‘no’ cases are filed, the commission may prepare a written statement opposing the amalgamation—
(a)based on the ‘no’ cases; and
(b)as far as practicable, fairly presenting the substance of the arguments in the ‘no’ cases; and
(c)if practicable, in consultation with representatives of the persons who filed the ‘no’ cases.
(2)The statement must not be more than 2000 words.
(3)The statement is taken to be the only ‘no’ case for the amalgamation.

72   ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ cases may include things other than words

If the commission approves, a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ case may include things other than words, including, for example, diagrams, illustrations and photographs.

73   Amending ‘yes’ or ‘no’ cases

The commission may—
(a)allow the person who filed a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ case to amend it; and
(b)amend a filed ‘yes’ or ‘no’ case to—
(i)correct factual errors; or
(ii)ensure it complies with the Act.

Division 7 Objections

74   Objections about amalgamations

(1)The following persons may object to an application under section 62—
(a)a member of an existing organisation that the amalgamation is about;
(b)another person with appropriate interest in the proposed amalgamation.
(2)The objection must be on the ground that the proposed amalgamated organisation does not meet, or if the amalgamation takes effect, will not meet, the requirements for registration under sections 603 to 605 of the Act.

75   Objection to amalgamation ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

A member of an organisation that has applied for an exemption from holding a ballot for a proposed amalgamation under section 65 may object to the application on the ground that the exemption would detrimentally affect the member’s interests.

76   Objection to withdrawal ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

A constituent member of a constituent part that has applied for an exemption from holding a withdrawal ballot under section 66 may object to the application on the ground that the exemption would detrimentally affect the member’s interests.

77   Notice of objection

(1)A notice of objection under section 74 must be filed—
(a)by the day fixed by the commission; or
(b)if the commission substitutes a later day for the fixed day—by the substituted day; or
(c)if no day is fixed—within 28 days after a notice under section 82 for the proposed amalgamation is first published.
(2)A notice of objection under section 75 or 76 must be filed within 28 days after a notice of the application is given under section 79.
(3)The notice must state—
(a)the objector’s name and address; and
(b)the grounds of the objection; and
(c)particulars of the grounds.
(4)A notice of objection from an organisation must—
(a)be under the organisation’s seal; or
(b)be signed by the organisation’s authorised officer.
(5)The person who files the notice must serve a copy of it on each applicant within 7 days after the filing.

78   Answering objection

(1)If a copy of a notice of objection has been served under section 77(5), the applicant may file a statement answering the notice.
(2)The statement must—
(a)be signed by an authorised officer of each applicant; and
(b)state the facts relied on in answer to the objection; and
(c)be filed in the registry within 14 days after the objection notice is served on the applicants.
(3)The applicant must serve a copy of the statement on the objector stated in the notice of objection within 7 days after filing it.

Division 8 Hearing

79   Notice of application

(1)This section applies if an application for a proposed amalgamation is filed under section 62 or an application for a proposed withdrawal is filed under section 63.
(2)For a proposed amalgamation, the commission must promptly give notice to all members of the existing organisations the amalgamation is about of—
(a)the application; and
(b)any application for a community of interest declaration under section 54; and
(c)any application for a ballot exemption; and
(d)any application for an alternative ballot; and
(e)for each application—any right to object to the application under this part.
(3)A notice under subsection (2) must be—
(a)given in a newspaper circulating throughout the State; and
(b)published on the QIRC website.
(4)For a proposed withdrawal, the commission must promptly give notice to all constituent members of—
(a)the application; and
(b)any application for a ballot exemption; and
(c)any application for an alternative ballot; and
(d)for each application—any right to object to the application under this part.
(5)A notice under subsection (4) must be—
(a)given in a newspaper circulating throughout the State; and
(b)published on the QIRC website.

80   Amalgamation or withdrawal hearing

(1)When the time for filing a statement answering a notice of objection under section 77(2) for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal has ended, the commission must promptly fix a time and place for a hearing to hear submissions about—
(a)the application; and
(b)if an application for a community of interest declaration under section 54 was filed with the application—making a declaration for the amalgamation; and
(c)if a ballot exemption was applied for—giving the exemption; and
(d)if approval for an alternative ballot was applied for—giving the approval.
(2)The commission—
(a)must promptly give notice of the time and place for the hearing to—
(i)the applicant; and
(ii)all organisations; and
(iii)any person who has filed an objection to an application to be heard at the hearing; and
(b)may notify other persons it considers may be interested in the hearing.

Example for paragraph (b)—

notifying the electoral commission

81   Amalgamation ballot approval if no objections or objections withdrawn

(1)At a hearing for a proposed amalgamation, the commission must allow the application and approve the submission of the amalgamation to ballot if it considers the application meets the following conditions (the ballot conditions)—
(a)the application complies with section 62;
(b)the amalgamation involves registering a proposed organisation;
(c)a person ineligible for membership of an existing organisation for the amalgamation will not be eligible for membership of the amalgamated organisation;
(d)if the name of the proposed amalgamated organisation is the same as another organisation’s name or so similar to another organisation’s name as to be likely to cause confusion—the other organisation has consented in writing to the name;
(e)the proposed amalgamated organisation’s rules and any proposed amendment of an existing organisation’s rules do not contravene the Act or an industrial instrument;
(f)a proposed deregistration of an existing organisation complies with the Act.
(2)If the commission considers the application does not meet the ballot conditions, it may allow the application only if satisfied the ballot conditions will be met by—
(a)permitting the applicant to amend the scheme for the amalgamation; or
(b)accepting the applicant’s undertaking to amend the amalgamation scheme.
(3)If the commission is not satisfied under either subsection (1) or (2) it must—
(a)refuse the application; or
(b)adjourn the proceeding.
(4)A permission under subsection (2)(a) may—
(a)despite an existing organisation’s rules, allow the organisation to amend the scheme, including proposed alterations to the organisation’s rules; and
(b)provide for the procedure that, despite the rules, may or must be followed by the management committee for the application; and
(c)be given on conditions stated by the commission.
(5)If an undertaking under subsection (2)(b) or conditions under subsection (4) are contravened, the commission may—
(a)amend the scheme; or
(b)give orders or directions about—
(i)holding the ballot; or
(ii)the procedure for the amalgamation.
(6)Subsections (3) and (5) do not limit the commission’s other powers.

82   Notifying refusal of ballot application

(1)This section applies if the commission refuses to approve a ballot application because the ballot condition in section 81(1)(c) is not met and the commission is not satisfied as stated in section 81(2).
(2)The registrar must publish a notice of the refusal in a newspaper in a way that, in the registrar’s opinion, is likely to come to the attention of persons who would likely have been affected by the proposed amalgamation to which the application relates.
(3)The notice must state—
(a)the ground stated in section 74 for an objection; and
(b)the day under section 77(1) by which an objection notice must have been filed.

83   Hearing objection

(1)When the time for filing a statement answering a notice of objection under section 77(1) has ended, the commission must promptly—
(a)fix a time and place to hear objections to the application; and
(b)give the applicant and any objector notice of the time and place of the hearing.
(2)The commission may fix separate hearings for different objections.

84   Amalgamation ballot approval after hearing objections

(1)After the hearing of objections under section 83, the commission must allow the application and approve the submission of the amalgamation to ballot if it considers the application meets the following conditions (the ballot conditions)—
(a)the application complies with section 62;
(b)the amalgamation involves registering a proposed organisation;
(c)a person ineligible for membership of an existing organisation for the amalgamation will not be eligible for membership of the amalgamated organisation;
(d)if the name of the proposed amalgamated organisation is the same as another organisation’s name or so similar to another organisation’s name as to be likely to cause confusion—the other organisation has consented in writing to the name;
(e)the proposed amalgamated organisation’s rules and any proposed amendment of an existing organisation’s rules do not contravene the Act or an industrial instrument;
(f)a proposed deregistration of an existing organisation complies with the Act.
(2)If the commission considers the application does not meet the ballot conditions, it may allow the application only if satisfied the ballot conditions will be met by—
(a)permitting the applicant to amend the scheme for the amalgamation; or
(b)accepting the applicant’s undertaking to amend the amalgamation scheme.
(3)If the commission considers an application does not meet the ballot conditions and is not satisfied the ballot conditions will be met by the things mentioned in subsection (2), the commission must allow the application only if satisfied—
(a)no properly made objection is justified; and
(b)the amalgamation does not contravene the Act or an industrial instrument.
(4)If the commission is not satisfied under either subsection (1), (2) or (3) it must—
(a)refuse the application; or
(b)adjourn the proceeding.
(5)A permission under subsection (2)(a) may—
(a)despite an existing organisation’s rules, allow the organisation to amend the scheme, including proposed alterations to the organisation’s rules; and
(b)provide for the procedure that, despite the rules, may or must be followed by the management committee for the application; and
(c)be given on conditions stated by the commission.
(6)If an undertaking under subsection (2)(b) or conditions under subsection (5) are contravened, the commission may—
(a)amend the scheme; or
(b)give orders or directions about—
(i)holding the ballot; or
(ii)the procedure for the amalgamation.
(7)Subsections (4) and (6) do not limit the commission’s other powers.

85   Withdrawal ballot approval

(1)At the hearing for a proposed withdrawal, the commission must allow the application and approve the submission of the withdrawal to ballot if it considers the application meets the following conditions (the ballot conditions)—
(a)the application for the ballot is made in accordance with section 63;
(b)if the name of the proposed newly registered organisation is the same as another organisation’s name or so similar to another organisation’s name as to be likely to cause confusion—the other organisation has consented in writing to the name;
(c)the proposed newly registered organisation’s rules do not contravene the Act or an industrial instrument.
(2)If the commission orders that a ballot be held, it may make the orders it considers appropriate for the conduct of the ballot.

86   Ballot exemption—number of members

(1)This section applies at a hearing for a proposed amalgamation if a ballot exemption application under section 64 was filed with the ballot application for the amalgamation.
(2)If the number of persons that could become members of the proposed amalgamated organisation is not more than 25% of the number of members of the applicant when the applicant’s management committee resolved to make the application, the commission must allow the ballot exemption, unless it considers the exemption should be refused because of special circumstances.
(3)If the commission gives the exemption, the organisation’s members are taken to have approved—
(a)the proposed amalgamation; and
(b)each proposed alternative amalgamation.

87   Amalgamation ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

(1)If an application for an exemption from holding an amalgamation ballot has been made under section 65, the commission may give the exemption only if satisfied—
(a)the percentage of Queensland voters in the federal ballot approving the amalgamation was the same as, or more than, the percentage that would have been required to approve the amalgamation under section 117 had the Queensland voters been voting in a ballot for an amalgamation to which section 117 applied; and
(b)if the organisations’ and the counterpart federal bodies’ eligibility rules differ—the interests of the organisations’ members who were ineligible to vote in the federal ballot have not been detrimentally affected; and
(c)any objections on the ground mentioned in section 74 have been resolved; and
(d)all likely legal challenges, including inquiries under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act, in the federal jurisdiction have ended.
(2)If the commission is satisfied of the things mentioned in subsection (1), the commission must give the exemption unless it considers the exemption should be refused because of special circumstances.
(3)If the commission gives the exemption, the organisation’s members are taken to have approved—
(a)the proposed amalgamation; and
(b)each proposed alternative amalgamation.
(4)In this section—
federal ballot means a ballot that has been held under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act to approve a proposed amalgamation.

88   Withdrawal ballot exemption—recognising federal ballot

(1)If an application for an exemption from holding a ballot for a proposed withdrawal is made under section 66, the commission may give the exemption only if satisfied—
(a)the percentage of Queensland voters in the federal ballot approving the withdrawal from amalgamation was the same as, or more than, the percentage that would have been required to approve the withdrawal under section 117 had the Queensland voters been voting in a ballot for a withdrawal to which section 117 applied; and
(b)if the proposed newly registered organisation’s eligibility rules are different from those of the organisation registered under section 110 of the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act—the interests of the constituent members who were ineligible to vote in the federal ballot have not been detrimentally affected; and
(c)objections about the possible changes of eligibility rules have been resolved; and
(d)all likely legal challenges, including inquiries under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act, in the federal jurisdiction have ended.
(2)If the commission is satisfied of the things mentioned in subsection (1), the commission must give the exemption unless it considers the exemption should be refused because of special circumstances.
(3)If the commission gives an exemption, the constituent members are taken to have approved the withdrawal.
(4)In this section—
federal ballot means a ballot that has been held under the Commonwealth Registered Organisations Act to decide whether a constituent part of an amalgamated organisation under that Act should withdraw from the organisation.

89   Alternative ballot approval

(1)This section applies to a hearing for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal if an application for an alternative ballot has been made under section 67.
(2)After consulting with the manager of the ballot, the commission must approve the alternative ballot if satisfied the proposal—
(a)is practicable; and
(b)complies with section 67(3); and
(c)is likely to give members of the existing organisation, or constituent members, with a right to vote—
(i)fuller participation than a ballot under section 96; and
(ii)an adequate opportunity to vote on the amalgamation without intimidation.

90   Notice to manager of ballot

(1)If the commission approves a ballot for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal, the registrar must promptly—
(a)notify the manager of the ballot; and
(b)give a copy of the ballot documents to the manager of the ballot.
(2)After the manager is notified, the manager must promptly take the action the manager considers necessary to hold the ballot as quickly as possible.
(3)In subsection (1)—
ballot documents means—
(a)the scheme, scheme outline and each ‘yes’ case; and
(b)each ‘no’ case; and
(c)each amendment of, or document filed in substitution for, a document mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b).

91   Fixing ballot period

(1)If the commission approves the submission of a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal to a ballot, the commission must—
(a)consult with the manager of the ballot about the matters mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c); and
(b)fix days and times for the ballot to start and finish; and
(c)fix the roll cut-off day under section 108.
(2)The ballot must start within 28 days of the approval, unless—
(a)the commission is satisfied the manager of the ballot needs more time to arrange the ballot; or
(b)the applicant for the amalgamation or withdrawal ballot requests a later day.
(3)If a scheme for a proposed amalgamation has 1 or more proposed alternative schemes, all ballots for the proposed amalgamation and proposed alternative amalgamations must have the same start and finish days.
(4)The commission may, after consulting with the manager of the ballot, change the start or finish days.

Division 9 Ballots

92   Electoral commission to conduct ballot

A ballot for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal must be conducted by the electoral commission.

93   Providing information and documents to electoral officers

(1)This section applies if—
(a)the registrar has notified the electoral commission of an application for a ballot for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal; and
(b)the electoral commission has by written notice appointed an electoral officer as manager of the ballot; and
(c)the manager considers information within the knowledge of an officer of an existing organisation, amalgamated organisation or constituent part, or documents in the officer’s custody or control or to which the officer has access, are reasonably necessary for a ballot that is or may be required because of the application.
(2)The manager may, by written notice, require the officer to—
(a)give the manager information that is within the officer’s knowledge; and
(b)produce documents to the manager that the officer—
(i)has custody or control of; or
(ii)to which the officer has access.
(3)The notice must state—
(a)if it requires the officer to give information—
(i)the information required; and
(ii)a period, of not less than 7 days, in which the information is to be given; and
(iii)a reasonable way of giving it; and
(b)if it requires the officer to produce documents—
(i)the documents required; and
(ii)a reasonable period, of not less than 7 days, in which the documents are to be produced; and
(iii)a reasonable place at which the documents are to be produced.
(4)The officer must not contravene the notice, unless the officer has reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(5)It is a reasonable excuse for the officer not to comply with the notice if doing so might tend to incriminate the officer.
(6)In this section—
officer of an organisation includes an employee of the organisation.

94   Action and directions by manager of ballot

A manager of a ballot for a proposed amalgamation or proposed withdrawal may take action and give directions the manager reasonably considers are necessary to ensure no unlawful disclosure or irregularity happens in the ballot.

95   Manager of ballot must give copy of scheme or outline if asked

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a manager of a ballot for a proposed amalgamation or proposed withdrawal has received a copy of—
(i)the ballot application for the ballot; or
(ii)a scheme or scheme outline for a ballot application; and
(b)a voter asks for a copy of the scheme, scheme outline or ballot application.
(2)The manager must promptly give the voter a copy, free of charge.

96   Members’ secret postal ballot

(1)This section applies to each existing organisation concerned in a proposed amalgamation, and to a constituent part concerned in a proposed withdrawal, if—
(a)the commission has approved a ballot for the amalgamation or withdrawal; and
(b)the commission—
(i)has not approved an alternative ballot for the amalgamation or withdrawal; or
(ii)for a proposed amalgamation—has not given the organisation a ballot exemption under section 86 or 87; or
(iii)for a proposed withdrawal—has not given the constituent part a ballot exemption under section 88.
(2)The manager of the ballot must carry out secret postal ballots of the members who have a right to vote in the ballot on the amalgamation or withdrawal about—
(a)whether they approve the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal; and
(b)if the scheme for the amalgamation has an alternative scheme—if the proposed amalgamation does not take place, whether they approve the alternative amalgamation.
(3)If there is an alternative scheme for an amalgamation, the same ballot paper must be used for voting on the proposed amalgamation and proposed alternative amalgamation.

97   Form of ballot paper

A ballot paper must be in the form provided for in the rules of court.

98   Notice of ballot

(1)The manager of a ballot for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal must give notice, before the ballot starts, to each person with a right to vote in the ballot of the start and finish days and times of the ballot.
(2)If the commission has approved an alternative ballot under section 89(2), the manager of the ballot must—
(a)fix the place for the ballot; and
(b)give at least 21 days notice to each voter of—
(i)the place, day and times; and
(ii)the procedure to get and cast an absentee vote.
(3)The manager of a ballot may give a notice under this section by—
(a)post addressed to the voter’s residential address; or
(b)including it in a publication that the organisation or constituent part gives to the organisation’s members with a right to vote in the ballot free of charge; or
(c)another way the manager thinks will reasonably bring the notice to each member’s attention.

99   Postal ballots—distributing voting material

(1)A manager of a secret postal ballot must post the following material for the ballot (the voting material) to each voter—
(a)a ballot paper initialled by the manager;
(b)a copy of the scheme outline and any amendments to it;
(c)a copy of each ‘yes’ case and any amendments to it;
(d)a copy of each ‘no’ case and any amendments to it;
(e)an unsealed reply paid envelope (a return envelope) addressed to the manager;
(f)a ballot envelope and voting declaration;
(g)other material the manager considers appropriate for the ballot including, for example, directions or notes to help the voter to comply with the Act and cast a valid vote;
(h)a statement that tells the voter how and where they may obtain a copy of the latest version of the scheme.
(2)The voting declaration must state ‘I certify I am the person whose name appears on this envelope and I have voted on the ballot paper enclosed.’.
(3)The voting material must be posted to a voter—
(a)in a sealed envelope to the voter’s address on the roll; and
(b)as soon as practicable, but not earlier than 2 days before the start day of the ballot.
(4)If a voter gives the manager notice that the voter will be at an address other than the address stated on the roll when voting material is to be given, the manager must post the material to the address stated in the notice.
(5)Before posting voting material to a voter, the manager must mark a ballot number for each voter on—
(a)the roll against the voter’s name; and
(b)the voting declaration.
(6)The manager must give each voter a different ballot number.
(7)The ballot numbers must start with a number chosen by the manager.
(8)A ballot paper or ballot envelope must not be marked in a way that could identify the voter.

100   Material for alternative ballots

(1)The manager of an alternative ballot must post to each voter at their address on the roll—
(a)a copy of the latest version of—
(i)the scheme outline for the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal and any amendments to it; and
(ii)each ‘yes’ case for the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal and any amendments to it; and
(iii)each ‘no’ case for the proposed amalgamation or withdrawal and any amendments to it; and
(b)a statement that tells the voter how and where they may obtain a copy of the latest version of the scheme.
(2)The documents must be posted in enough time for them to be delivered, in the ordinary course of post, at least 7 days before the start day of the ballot.

101   Alternative ballots—distributing ballot papers

(1)The manager of an alternative ballot must give a ballot paper initialled by the manager to each voter at the meeting at which the ballot is to be held.
(2)However, if a voter tells the manager the voter will be absent from the meeting, the manager must give the voter each of the following as soon as practicable before the meeting starts—
(a)a ballot paper;
(b)a ballot envelope;
(c)a return envelope;
(d)a voting declaration.

102   Duplicate ballot documents—postal voting

(1)This section applies if a ballot document for a proposed amalgamation or withdrawal posted to a voter—
(a)has not been received by the voter; or
(b)has been lost or destroyed; or
(c)if the ballot document is a ballot paper—has been spoilt.
(2)The voter may apply to the manager of the ballot for a duplicate of the ballot document.
(3)The application must—
(a)be received by the manager on or before the finish day of the ballot; and
(b)state the grounds for the application; and
(c)if practicable, be substantiated by evidence verifying or tending to verify the grounds; and
(d)state the voter has not voted at the ballot; and
(e)if the ballot document is a spoilt ballot paper—be accompanied by the ballot paper.
(4)If the application complies with subsection (3), the manager must—
(a)give a duplicate of the document to the voter; or
(b)for a spoilt ballot paper—
(i)mark ‘spoilt’ on the paper; and
(ii)initial the paper where marked and keep the paper; and
(iii)give a fresh ballot paper to the voter.
(5)In this section—
ballot document means—
(a)a document mentioned in section 101(2); or
(b)voting material given to a voter under section 99.

103   Duplicate ballot papers—alternative ballot

(1)If a voter at an alternative ballot satisfies the manager of the ballot, before putting the ballot paper in the ballot box, that the voter has spoilt the paper, the manager must—
(a)mark ‘spoilt’ on the paper; and
(b)initial the paper where marked and keep it; and
(c)give a fresh ballot paper to the voter.
(2)If a voter at an alternative ballot satisfies the manager of the ballot, before the ballot finishes, that the voter’s ballot paper has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the manager must give the voter a duplicate ballot paper.

104   Manager must keep a ballot box

The manager must have a ballot box and—
(a)keep the box in a safe place; and
(b)seal the box in a way that—
(i)allows voting material to be put in it until the ballot finishes; and
(ii)prevents voting material from being taken from it until votes for the ballot are to be counted.

105   How to vote by post

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a ballot is a secret postal ballot; or
(b)a voter is given voting material under section 101(2) to cast an absentee vote in an alternative ballot.
(2)The voter may vote only by completing the following steps—
(a)completing a ballot paper by complying with the instructions on the paper;
(b)putting the ballot paper in the ballot envelope;
(c)sealing the ballot envelope;
(d)filling in and signing the voting declaration;
(e)putting the voting declaration and the ballot envelope in the return envelope;
(f)sealing the return envelope;
(g)complying with any direction given under section 99(1)(g);
(h)returning the return envelope to the manager of the ballot before the ballot finishes by—
(i)posting it so the manager receives it before the ballot finishes; or
(ii)putting it in the ballot box before the ballot finishes.

106   How to vote in an alternative ballot

(1)This section applies to a vote at a meeting for an alternative ballot.
(2)The voter must vote by—
(a)completing a ballot paper; and
(b)complying with the instructions on the paper about how to vote and putting it in the ballot box.

107   How ballot manager must deal with voting material

(e)if the election is for another type of office—the number of candidates for the office is not more than the number of offices of the same type to be elected at the same time.

Part 4    Conducting ballots

Division 1 General

10   Roll—preparation

(1)A roll for a ballot must be prepared at the direction of the manager of the election.
(2)The manager must ensure the roll—
(a)states—
(i)the name of each person who is an eligible member of the organisation in alphabetical order; and
(ii)each eligible member’s address, opposite their name; and
(b)is completed when nominations for the election close.
(3)The organisation must give the manager—
(a)a copy of its members register; and
(b)access to the organisation’s records reasonably necessary for the manager to ensure the roll is accurate.

11   Roll—inspection

(1)The manager of the election must make the roll for the election available for inspection—
(a)in the period that—
(i)starts on the day after the roll must be completed under section 10; and
(ii)ends 30 days after the result of the election is declared; and
(b)at the manager’s office when it is open for business.
(2)A candidate, member or a person authorised by the manager may inspect the roll, free of charge.
(3)If, during the period stated in subsection (1), a candidate or member asks for a copy of the roll or a stated part of the roll, the manager must give the person the copy, free of charge.

12   When someone can claim a right to vote

(1)Despite section 10(2), if an eligible member’s name does not appear on the roll, the member may apply to the manager of the election to have the member’s name included on the roll.

Note—

Under section 704 of the Act, the application must be written.
(2)If the manager is satisfied the applicant is an eligible member, the manager must include the applicant’s name on the roll.

Division 2 Voting material

13   Ballot papers

(1)A ballot paper for the election must—
(a)have a watermark or other distinctive pattern that prevents it from being reproduced other than by the manager or a person authorised by the manager; and
(b)be of paper that will hide a vote marked on it from view when it is folded once; and
(c)be a different colour from the colour used for ballot papers at the 2 previous elections held for the organisation; and
(d)list the names of each candidate once only for each office the election is for, with the surname first, followed by the candidate’s other names; and
(e)state how the voter may vote; and
(f)state that the voter must fill in and sign the voting declaration or the vote will not be counted; and
(g)state that the voter must return the ballot paper to the manager so it is received on or before the finish day of the ballot.

Note—

See section 40 of this regulation for other requirements for ballot papers.
(2)The order of names on the ballot paper must be decided by lot.
(3)If 2 or more candidates have the same surname and first names, the candidates must be distinguished in an appropriate way.

Example—

The occupation of each candidate may be added to the ballot paper.

14   Distributing voting material

(1)The manager of the election must post the following things (the voting material) to each voter—
(a)a ballot paper initialled by the manager;
(b)an unsealed reply paid envelope (a return envelope) addressed to the manager;
(c)a ballot envelope and a voting declaration;
(d)other material the manager considers appropriate for the ballot including, for example, directions or notes to help the voter to comply with these rules and cast a valid vote.
(2)Voting material must be posted to each voter—
(a)in a sealed envelope to the voter’s address on the roll; and
(b)as soon as practicable, but no earlier than 2 days before the starting day of the ballot.
(3)The voting declaration must state ‘I certify that I am the person whose name appears on this envelope and I have voted on the ballot paper enclosed.’.
(4)If a voter gives the manager a notice that the voter will be at an address other than the address stated on the roll when voting material is to be given, the manager must post the material to the other address.
(5)Before posting voting material to a voter, the manager must mark a ballot number for each voter on—
(a)the roll against the voter’s name; and
(b)the declaration form.
(6)The manager must give each voter a different ballot number.
(7)The ballot numbers must start with a number chosen by the manager.
(8)A ballot paper or ballot envelope must not be marked in a way that could identify the voter.

15   Manager must keep a ballot box

The manager must have a ballot box and—
(a)keep the box in a safe place; and
(b)seal the box in a way that—
(i)allows voting material to be put in it until the ballot finishes; and
(ii)prevents voting material from being taken from it until votes for the ballot are to be counted.

16   Duplicate voting material

(1)This section applies if voting material posted to a voter—
(a)has not been received by the voter; or
(b)has been lost or destroyed; or
(c)if the document is a ballot paper—has been spoilt.
(2)The voter may apply to the manager of the election for a duplicate of the document.
(3)The application must—
(a)be received by the manager on or before the finish day of the ballot; and
(b)state the grounds on which it is made; and
(c)if practicable, be substantiated by evidence verifying or tending to verify the grounds; and
(d)state that the voter has not voted at the ballot; and
(e)if the document is a spoilt ballot paper—be accompanied by the ballot paper.
(4)If the application complies with subsection (3), the manager must—
(a)if the document is a spoilt ballot paper—
(i)mark ‘spoilt’ on the paper; and
(ii)initial the paper beside that marking and keep the paper; and
(iii)give a fresh ballot paper to the voter; or
(b)otherwise—give a duplicate of the document to the voter.

Division 3 Voting

17   How long ballot is open

A ballot must remain open for—
(a)at least 21 days; and
(b)no longer than 49 days.

18   How to vote

A voter may vote only by completing the following steps—
(a)completing a ballot paper by—
(i)writing a tick or cross in the square opposite the name or names of the number of candidates the voter may vote for under section 19; and
(ii)complying with the instructions on the paper about how to vote;
(b)putting the ballot paper in a ballot envelope;
(c)sealing the ballot envelope;
(d)filling in and signing the voting declaration for the ballot paper;
(e)putting the voting declaration and the ballot envelope in the return envelope;
(f)sealing the return envelope;
(g)complying with any direction given under section 14(1)(d);
(h)returning the return envelope to the manager of the election so that the envelope is received on or before the finish day for the ballot.

19   How many votes may be cast

A voter may vote for only the following number of candidates on a ballot paper—
(a)for an election for president or secretary—1 candidate;
(b)for an election for another type of office—the number of candidates that is not more than the number of offices of the same type to be elected at the same time.

Division 4 Counting and scrutiny of votes

20   How manager must deal with voting material

(1)The manager of the election must put all voting material returned to the manager in the ballot box until voting has ended.
(2)If, after the finishing day for the election, the manager receives a return envelope apparently containing a ballot paper for the election, the manager must—
(a)keep the envelope sealed; and
(b)mark the envelope ‘Received by the manager after the finishing day for the ballot’; and
(c)keep the envelope in safe custody, but separately from return envelopes received before or on the finishing day.

21   Scrutineers—appointment

(1)A candidate may—
(a)act personally as a scrutineer; or
(b)appoint another person (an appointee) as a scrutineer for the candidate.
(2)An appointment must be in writing and signed by the candidate.
(3)A candidate must notify the manager of the election of the name of the candidate’s appointee as soon as possible after the appointee is appointed.
(4)The manager may refuse to allow an appointee to act as a scrutineer if—
(a)the manager asks to inspect the appointment as a scrutineer; and
(b)the appointee does not produce it.

22   Scrutineers’ rights

Subject to section 23, a scrutineer may be present when—
(a)ballot papers or other voting material for a ballot are prepared and given to voters; and
(b)voting material is received and put in safe custody under section 20; and
(c)votes are counted.

23   Scrutineers—numbers attending

(1)Each candidate may have only 1 scrutineer exercising a right under section 22 for each official present where the ballot is being conducted.
(2)In subsection (1)—
official means—
(a)if the ballot is being conducted by the electoral commission—an electoral officer; or
(b)if the ballot is not being conducted by the electoral commission—
(i)the manager of the election; or
(ii)any other person appointed by the manager to exercise the manager’s powers for the election.

24   Initial scrutiny of voting material

(1)As soon as possible after the ballot finishes, the manager of the election must—
(a)seal the ballot box in a way that prevents voting material from being put in it; and
(b)take the ballot box to the place where votes are to be counted.
(2)The manager must then—
(a)unseal the ballot box; and
(b)take out the return envelopes; and
(c)open each return envelope and take out the ballot envelope and the voting declaration; and
(d)examine the declaration and mark off the voter’s name on the roll; and
(e)check the ballot number on the declaration against the ballot number marked against the voter’s name on the roll; and
(f)ensure the declaration is signed.
(3)After complying with subsection (2), the manager must put the ballot envelopes in a container and the declarations into another container if satisfied—
(a)each declaration is signed; and
(b)the ballot number on each declaration corresponds with the ballot number marked beside the voter’s name on the roll.
(4)However, the manager must not put a ballot envelope or declaration in the containers mentioned in subsection (3) if—
(a)the manager reasonably believes the voter to whom it was sent did not sign the declaration; or
(b)the person named on the declaration is not the person to whom it was sent.
(5)Subsection (4) does not apply if the manager is satisfied the person who filled in and signed the declaration—
(a)is a voter; and
(b)has not previously voted in the ballot; and
(c)has a reasonable explanation for using someone else’s ballot material.
(6)The manager must keep ballot envelopes and declarations excluded under subsection (4) separate from other ballot envelopes and declarations.
(7)A declaration is valid only if—
(a)it complies with subsection (3)(a) and (b); and
(b)subsection (4) does not apply.
(8)A valid declaration must be accepted as valid, and an invalid declaration must be rejected, by the manager.
(9)If a declaration is accepted as valid by the manager the manager must—
(a)note the acceptance of validity on the declaration; and
(b)record the correct ballot number on the roll against the name of the voter who signed the declaration.
(10)After separating the ballot envelopes and declarations, the manager must, in the following order—
(a)seal the container holding declarations;
(b)open the ballot envelopes not excluded under subsection (4) and take out the ballot papers;
(c)if a ballot envelope contains more than 1 ballot paper for each office the election is for—mark each of the ballot papers from the envelope ‘informal under section 25(2)(e)’;
(d)put all of the ballot papers in the ballot box.

25   Counting votes

(1)To count votes the manager of the election must—
(a)admit the formal votes and reject the informal votes; and
(b)count the formal votes, and record the number for each candidate; and
(c)count the informal votes.
(2)A vote is informal only if—
(a)the ballot paper is not initialled by the manager and the manager is not satisfied the paper is authentic; or
(b)the ballot paper is marked in a way that allows the voter to be identified; or
(c)the ballot paper is not marked in a way that makes it clear how the voter meant to vote; or
(d)the ballot paper does not comply with a direction given under section 14(1)(d); or
(e)the ballot paper was taken from a ballot envelope that contained another ballot paper for the office the election is for.

26   Scrutineers’ objections

(1)Before votes are counted, a scrutineer may advise the manager that the scrutineer considers an error has been made in conducting the ballot.
(2)When votes are counted, a scrutineer may—
(a)object to a ballot paper being admitted as formal or rejected as informal by the manager of the election; or
(b)advise the manager of the election that the scrutineer considers an error has been made in conducting the ballot or counting votes.
(3)If a scrutineer advises the manager under subsection (1) or (2)(b), the manager must—
(a)decide whether the error has been made; and
(b)if appropriate—direct action to correct or mitigate the error.
(4)If a scrutineer objects under subsection (2)(a), the manager must—
(a)decide whether the ballot paper is to be admitted or rejected; and
(b)note the decision on the ballot paper and initial the note.

27   Direction by manager to leave count

The manager of the election may direct a person to leave the place where votes are being counted if the person—
(a)does not have the right to be present at the count; or
(b)interrupts the count, other than to exercise a scrutineer’s right.

Division 5 Election result

28   How result is decided

(1)The method of deciding the result of a ballot is by a first-past-the-post system.
(2)If only 1 office of the same type is to be filled in an election, the candidate with the most formal votes is elected.
(3)If more than 1 office of the same type is to be filled, that number of candidates corresponding with the number of offices to be filled who have the most formal votes are elected.
(4)This section is subject to sections 29 and 30.

29   What happens if votes for 2 or more candidates are equal

(1)If the manager can not decide which candidate is elected to an office because the votes cast for 2 or more candidates are equal, the manager of the election must decide which candidate is elected by drawing lots.
(2)A decision under subsection (1) must be made in the presence of any scrutineer who wishes to attend.

30   What happens if multiple nominee elected

If a candidate is elected to an office, other than as a trustee, and the candidate is also elected to a higher office, the manager of the election may only declare the candidate elected to the higher office.

Schedule 2A [Repealed]

section 40A

1   [Repealed]

2   [Repealed]

3   Officer of corporation

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   [Repealed]

7   [Repealed]

8   [Repealed]

9   [Repealed]

10   [Repealed]

11   [Repealed]

12   [Repealed]

13   [Repealed]

14   [Repealed]

15   [Repealed]

Schedule 2C [Repealed]

Part 1    [Repealed]

1   [Repealed]

2   [Repealed]

3   [Repealed]

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   [Repealed]

Part 2    [Repealed]

7   [Repealed]

8   [Repealed]

9   [Repealed]

Part 3    [Repealed]

10   [Repealed]

11   [Repealed]

12   [Repealed]

13   [Repealed]

14   [Repealed]

Schedule 3 Requirements for financial policies

section 41

1   Policy for spending authorisations and delegations

(1)An organisation’s policy for authorisations and delegations relating to the organisation’s spending must—
(a)require an instrument of authorisation or delegation, under which an officer or employee of the organisation is authorised to approve the organisation’s spending, to state the following—
(i)the name of, or office held by, the officer or employee;
(ii)the purposes for which the officer or employee is authorised to approve the organisation’s spending;
(iii)the amount of spending the officer or employee is authorised to approve for each purpose mentioned in subparagraph (ii); and
(b)include procedures for—
(i)how the organisation’s spending is approved; and
(ii)how the approval of the spending is documented; and
(c)for spending that is personally incurred by an officer or employee of the organisation, provide that—
(i)the officer or employee must not authorise the spending; and
(ii)the spending must be authorised by—
(A)another officer or employee of the organisation who holds a senior role in the organisation; or
(B)the organisation’s management committee.
(2)For subsection (1)(c), an officer or employee of an organisation personally incurs the organisation’s spending if the spending—
(a)is incurred using a credit card of the organisation issued to the officer or employee; or
(b)relates to travel undertaken, or accommodation or hospitality used, by the officer or employee; or
(c)relates to a gift given by the officer or employee.
(3)In this section—

authorised, to do a thing, includes delegated the authority to do the thing.

2   Policy for credit cards

An organisation’s policy for the organisation’s credit cards must—
(a)state the following—
(i)the circumstances in which an officer or employee of the organisation may be issued a credit card of the organisation;
(ii)the purposes for which the organisation’s credit cards may be used;
(iii)the purposes, including spending for personal purposes, for which use of the organisation’s credit cards is prohibited; and
(b)include procedures for reporting the use of a credit card of the organisation for unauthorised or prohibited transactions; and
(c)require the following—
(i)payment of an invoice for a credit card of the organisation to be approved, or jointly approved, by an officer or employee of the organisation other than the officer or employee to whom the credit card is issued;
(ii)credit card usage and payments to be regularly reported to the organisation’s management committee or another committee responsible for the organisation’s financial management;
(iii)a sample of the invoices and payments for 1 or more of the organisation’s credit cards to be periodically audited.

3   Policy for contracting activities

An organisation’s policy for the organisation’s contracting activities must—
(a)require the organisation’s major costs incurred through contracting activities to be reviewed annually; and
(b)state the circumstances in which a contract for the supply of goods or services is considered by the organisation to be a significant contract; and
(c)require the organisation to regularly invite tenders for its significant contracts for the supply of goods or services; and
(d)require the organisation’s contracting activities with an entity (a supplier) to impose an obligation on the supplier to disclose to the organisation any conflict of interest arising—
(i)during a tender process or negotiations for a contract; or
(ii)when a contract is entered into; or
(iii)while a contract is in force; and
(e)require the organisation to—
(i)keep a register of conflicts of interest disclosed by suppliers under an obligation mentioned in paragraph (d); and
(ii)ensure the register is reviewed at each meeting of the management committee of the organisation.

4   Policy about entertainment and hospitality

An organisation’s policy for spending on, and receipt of, entertainment and hospitality must—
(a)state the circumstances in which an officer or employee of the organisation—
(i)may accept entertainment or hospitality from an entity other than the organisation; and
(ii)must refuse entertainment or hospitality from an entity other than the organisation; and
(b)include procedures about reporting and documenting the receipt of entertainment and hospitality.

5   Policy for gifts

An organisation’s policy for gifts must—
(a)state the circumstances in which an officer or employee of the organisation—
(i)may accept a gift from an entity other than the organisation; and
(ii)must refuse a gift from an entity other than the organisation; and
(b)include procedures about reporting and documenting the receipt of gifts.

Schedule 3 [Repealed]

section 42

Part 1    [Repealed]

Division 1 [Repealed]

1   [Repealed]

Division 2 [Repealed]

2   [Repealed]

3   [Repealed]

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   [Repealed]

7   [Repealed]

8   [Repealed]

9   [Repealed]

10   [Repealed]

11   [Repealed]

12   [Repealed]

13   [Repealed]

Division 3 [Repealed]

14   [Repealed]

15   [Repealed]

16   [Repealed]

17   [Repealed]

18   [Repealed]

19   [Repealed]

20   [Repealed]

21   [Repealed]

22   [Repealed]

23   [Repealed]

24   [Repealed]

25   [Repealed]

26   [Repealed]

27   [Repealed]

28   [Repealed]

29   [Repealed]

30   [Repealed]

31   [Repealed]

32   [Repealed]

Part 2    [Repealed]

Division 1 [Repealed]

33   [Repealed]

34   [Repealed]

Division 2 [Repealed]

35   [Repealed]

36   [Repealed]

37   [Repealed]

38   [Repealed]

39   [Repealed]

40   [Repealed]

41   [Repealed]

42   [Repealed]

43   [Repealed]

44   [Repealed]

45   [Repealed]

Division 3 [Repealed]

46   [Repealed]

47   [Repealed]

48   [Repealed]

49   [Repealed]

50   [Repealed]

51   [Repealed]

52   [Repealed]

Part 3    [Repealed]

53   [Repealed]

54   [Repealed]

Schedule 4 Hospital and Health Services declared not to be national system employers

section 145A

1Cairns and Hinterland
2Cape York
3Central Queensland
4Central West
5Children’s Health Queensland
6Darling Downs
7Gold Coast
8Mackay
9Metro North
10Metro South
11North West
12South West
13Sunshine Coast
14Torres Strait-Northern Peninsula
15Townsville
16West Moreton
17Wide Bay

Schedule 4 [Repealed]

section 43

Part 1    [Repealed]

1   [Repealed]

2   [Repealed]

3   [Repealed]

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   [Repealed]

7   [Repealed]

Part 2    [Repealed]

8   [Repealed]

9   [Repealed]

10   [Repealed]

11   [Repealed]

12   [Repealed]

Schedule 5 Local governments declared not to be national system employers

section 145C

1Aurukun Shire Council
2Balonne Shire Council
3Banana Shire Council
4Barcaldine Regional Council
5Barcoo Shire Council
6Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
7Boulia Shire Council
8Bulloo Shire Council
9Bundaberg Regional Council
10Burdekin Shire Council
11Burke Shire Council
12Cairns Regional Council
13Carpentaria Shire Council
14Cassowary Coast Regional Council
15Central Highlands Regional Council
16Charters Towers Regional Council
17Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
18Cloncurry Shire Council
19Cook Shire Council
20Croydon Shire Council
21Diamantina Shire Council
22Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council
23Douglas Shire Council
24Etheridge Shire Council
25Flinders Shire Council
26Fraser Coast Regional Council
27Gladstone Regional Council
28Gold Coast City Council
29Goondiwindi Regional Council
30Gympie Regional Council
31Hinchinbrook Shire Council
32Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
33Ipswich City Council
34Isaac Regional Council
35Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
36Livingstone Shire Council
37Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council
38Lockyer Valley Regional Council
39Logan City Council
40Longreach Regional Council
41Mackay Regional Council
42Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
43Maranoa Regional Council
44Mareeba Shire Council
45McKinlay Shire Council
46Moreton Bay Regional Council
47Mornington Shire Council
48Mount Isa City Council
49Murweh Shire Council
50Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
51Noosa Shire Council
52North Burnett Regional Council
53Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
54Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
55Paroo Shire Council
56Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council
57Quilpie Shire Council
58Redland City Council
59Richmond Shire Council
60Rockhampton Regional Council
61Scenic Rim Regional Council
62Somerset Regional Council
63South Burnett Regional Council
64Southern Downs Regional Council
65Sunshine Coast Regional Council
66Tablelands Regional Council
67Toowoomba Regional Council
68Torres Shire Council
69Torres Strait Island Regional Council
70Townsville City Council
71Western Downs Regional Council
72Whitsunday Regional Council
73Winton Shire Council
74Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council
75Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
76Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

Schedule 5 [Repealed]

section 45

1   [Repealed]

2   [Repealed]

3   [Repealed]

4   [Repealed]

5   [Repealed]

6   [Repealed]

7   [Repealed]

8   [Repealed]

Schedule 5C [Repealed]

section 146B

Schedule 6 Text of part 14 and schedule 7A of the repealed Industrial Relations Regulation 2000

section 149

Part 14    Declarations for Commonwealth Act, section 14(2)

148   Declarations

(1)This section applies for the purpose of the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2).
(2)Each of the employers mentioned in schedule 7A are declared not to be a national system employer for the purposes of the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2).

Note—

The local government listed in schedule 7A, part 2, opposite each declared employer is the body to which the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2)(a)(ii) applies of which the declared employer is a wholly owned subsidiary (within the meaning of the Corporations Act) or by which the declared employer is wholly controlled.
(3)In the schedule, parts 1 and 2, a reference to an Act under which an employer was established includes, if the Act continued the employer in existence, a reference to any law by or under which the employer was originally established.

Schedule 7A Employers declared not to be national system employers

section 148

Part 1    Employers mentioned in the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2)(a)(i)

1Australian Agricultural College Corporation

established under the Agricultural College Act 2005

2Library Board of Queensland

established under the Libraries Act 1988

3Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees

established under the Queensland Art Gallery Act 1987

4Queensland Building Services Authority

established under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991

5Queensland Museum Board of Trustees

established under the Queensland Museum Act 1970

6Residential Tenancies Authority

established under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008

7Skills Queensland

established under the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000

Editor’s note—

1Skills Queensland was dissolved on 22 November 2013 and the chief executive (training) became its successor in law: see the repealed Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000, sections 412 and 413.
2This note is provided for information purposes only and was not part of schedule 7A of the repealed Industrial Relations Regulation 2000.
8South Bank Corporation

established under the South Bank Corporation Act 1989

9Stadiums Queensland

established under the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001

10Tourism Queensland

established under the Tourism Queensland Act 1979

11WorkCover Queensland

established under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003

Part 2    Employers mentioned in the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2)(a)(ii)

1Brisbane City Council Superannuation Plan (City Super) ABN 32 864 248 795

established under the City of Brisbane Act 1924 for a local government purpose

Editor’s note—

City of Brisbane Act 1924—see the City of Brisbane Act 2010, section 262.
2Local Government Superannuation Scheme ABN 23 053 121 564

established under the Local Government Act 1993 for a local government purpose

Editor’s note—

Local Government Act 1993—see the Local Government Act 2009, section 282.
3Wide Bay Water Corporation ABN 98 380 729 010

established under the Local Government Act 1993 for a local government purpose

Editor’s note—

Local Government Act 1993—see the Local Government Act 2009, section 282.

Part 3    Employers mentioned in the Commonwealth Act, section 14(2)(a)(iii)

Entity

Relevant local government

The trustee for Boonah and District Art Gallery and Library Trust Gift Fund (trading as Boonah and District Art Gallery and Library Trust Gift Fund) ABN 92 719 264 297

Scenic Rim Regional Council

The trustee for the Boonah District Performing Arts Centre (trading as Boonah and District Performing Arts Centre Trust) ABN 35 930 584 358

Scenic Rim Regional Council

Brisbane Arts Trust (trading as Brisbane Arts Trust) ABN 30 749 675 075

Brisbane City Council

Brisbane Marketing Pty Ltd ACN 094 633 262 and ABN 86 094 633 262

Brisbane City Council

Brisbane Powerhouse Pty Ltd (trading as Brisbane Powerhouse) ACN 091 551 290 and ABN 18 091 551 290

Brisbane City Council

Burdekin Cultural Complex Board Inc. (trading as Burdekin Cultural Complex Board Inc.) ABN 38 161 809 872

Burdekin Shire Council

Cairns Regional Gallery Limited ACN 062 537 259 and ABN 45 062 537 259

Cairns Regional Council

The trustee for the Cairns Regional Gallery Arts Trust (trading as Cairns Regional Gallery Foundation Ltd) ABN 42 114 461 772

Cairns Regional Council

Caloundra City Enterprises Pty Ltd ACN 127 655 136 and ABN 39 127 655 136

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Central Queensland Local Government Association Inc. ABN 34 593 816 745

Banana Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council and Rockhampton Regional Council

Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (trading as Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board) ACN 057 968 653 and ABN 76 057 968 653

Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Boulia Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council and Winton Shire Council

CITIPAC International Pty Ltd ACN 011 028 649

Gold Coast City Council

City of Brisbane Arts and Environment Ltd (trading as City of Brisbane Arts and Environment Limited) ACN 084 763 253 and ABN 47 084 763 253

Brisbane City Council

City of Brisbane Investment Corporation Pty Ltd ACN 066 022 455 and ABN 95 066 022 455

Brisbane City Council

Council of Mayors (SEQ) (trading as Council of Mayors (SEQ), and other names) ABN 64 998 531 528

Brisbane City, Gold Coast City, Logan City, Lockyer Valley Regional, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional, Somerset Regional, Sunshine Coast Regional and Toowoomba Regional Councils

Edward River Crocodile Farm Pty Limited (trading as Edward River Crocodile Farm) ACN 008 502 270 and ABN 90 008 502 270

Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Council

The trustee for Empire Theatres Foundation (trading as Empire Theatres Foundation) ABN 69 130 487 365

Toowoomba Regional Council

Empire Theatres Pty Ltd ACN 086 482 288 and ABN 83 086 482 288

Toowoomba Regional Council

Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (trading as Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils) ABN 52 034 736 962

Cairns Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cooktown Shire Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Yarrabah Shire Council, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council

Gold Coast Arts Centre Pty Ltd (trading as Gold Coast Arts Centre Pty Ltd) ACN 060 787 466 and ABN 85 060 787 466

Gold Coast City Council

Gulf Savannah Development Inc. (trading as Gulf Savannah Development, and as Gulf Savannah Tourism) ABN 69 956 728 660

Burke, Carpentaria, Croydon and Etheridge Shire Councils

Hervey Bay (Community Fund) Limited ACN 120 350 469

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Hervey Bay (Cultural Fund) Limited ACN 120 350 405

Fraser Coast Regional Council

The trustee for Ipswich Arts Foundation Trust ABN 75 833 582 216

Ipswich City Council

Ipswich City Council (trading as Ipswich Arts Foundation) ABN 61 461 981 077

Ipswich City Council

Ipswich City Enterprises Investments Pty Ltd (trading as Ipswich City Enterprises Investments Pty Ltd) ACN 127 862 515 and ABN 42 127 862 515

Ipswich City Council

Ipswich City Enterprises Pty Ltd (trading as Ipswich City Enterprises Pty Ltd) ACN 095 487 086 and ABN 88 095 487 086

Ipswich City Council

Kronosaurus Korner Board Inc. (trading as Kronosaurus Korner) ABN 29 088 101 544

Richmond City Council

Lockhart River Aerodrome Company Pty Ltd (Lockhart River Aerodrome Company Pty Ltd) ACN 061 972 978 and ABN 95 061 972 978

Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council

Nuffield Pty Ltd ACN 068 043 318 and ABN 72 068 043 318

Brisbane City Council

Outback @ Isa Pty Ltd (trading as Outback@Isa) ACN 31 104 362 718 and ABN 104 362 718

Mount Isa City Council

Palm Island Community Company Ltd ACN 126 800 682 and ABN 64 126 800 682

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

Poruma Island Pty Ltd ACN 098 641 162 and ABN 88 098 641 162

Poruma Island Community Council

Quad Park Corporation Pty Ltd ACN 127 704 947 and ABN 31 127 704 947

Caloundra City Council

Rodeo Capital Pty Ltd (trading as Buchanan Park Facilities Management) ACN 125 659 510 and ABN 89 125 659 510

Mount Isa City Council

Sunshine Coast Events Centre Pty Ltd (trading as Caloundra Civic Cultural Centre) ACN 127 655 510 and ABN 38 127 655 510

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Surfers Paradise Alliance Ltd ACN 097 068 285 and ABN 19 097 068 285

Gold Coast City Council

The Brolga Theatre Board Inc. (trading as The Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre) ABN 75 529 942 824

Fraser Coast Regional Council

The trustee for Townsville Cemetery Trust (trading as Townsville & Thuringowa Cemetery Trust) ABN 72 096 373 559

Townsville City Council

TradeCoast Land Pty Ltd ACN 111 428 212 and ABN 15 111 428 212

Brisbane City Council

Waltzing Matilda Centre Ltd (trading as Waltzing Matilda Centre) ACN 34 086 051 078 and ABN 34 086 051 078

Winton Shire Council

Warwick Tourism and Events Pty Ltd ACN 105 787 246 and ABN 52 105 787 246

Southern Downs Regional Council

Widelinx Pty Ltd ACN 113 136 824 and ABN 76 113 136 824

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Woorabinda Pastoral Company Pty Limited ACN 011 072 450 and ABN 17 011 072 450

Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

Schedule 7 Dictionary

section 3

alternative ballot see section 67.
amalgamation day see section 136(1).
Australian Accounting Standards means the Australian Accounting Standards published by the Australian Accounting Standards Board.

Editor’s note—

The Australian Accounting Standards are available on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s website.
ballot exemption see section 64(1).
ballot inquiry see section 121.
constituent member means a member of an amalgamated organisation who is part of the constituent part seeking to withdraw from the organisation.
formal, for a ballot, means valid.
industrial tribunal, for part 8, see section 16.
informal, for a ballot, means invalid.
management committee of a constituent part means a management committee elected entirely or substantially by the constituent members.
manager of an election or ballot means—
(a)the electoral officer conducting the election or ballot; or
(b)if an exemption has been given under section 815 of the Act—the returning officer appointed under section 817 of the Act to conduct the election.
‘no’ case see section 70.
president of an organisation means—
(a)its president; or
(b)its chief executive; or
(c)another officer, however called, who has the functions of its president or chief executive.
proposed newly registered organisation means the organisation a constituent part will become if a withdrawal takes effect.
public investment means an investment in government or other public debentures, stock or bonds.
representative constituent member see section 63(6).
return envelope see section 99(1)(e).
secretary of an organisation means—
(a)the person who holds the office of secretary in the organisation; or
(b)if no-one holds the office of secretary of the organisation—the person authorised by the organisation under its rules to sign documents for the organisation.
special account of an organisation means an account the organisation operated for—
(a)a compulsory levy raised by the organisation; or
(b)voluntary contributions collected from its members.
voter, for part 13, means a person whose name is on the roll under section 108.
voting material see section 99(1).
withdrawal day see section 136(2).
‘yes’ case see section 69.
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