Queensland Local Government Minister David Crisafulli has announced he has accepted Marjorie Pagani's nomination to become a Tablelands councillor after nobody nominated for the position before April's Local Government elections.

 

After the election, 52 people nominated for the role during the Expression of Interest process, with the Minister asking Mayor Rosa Lee Long and councillors to select a suitable candidate.

 

“Communities deserve the right to choose the person who will best serve them,” Mr Crisafulli said.

 

“Obviously, people should be able to vote for their choice, but Council choosing a candidate is the best option if people fail to nominate for the election.

 

“While the Act allows for the Minister to appoint someone, it should not be for me to tell a local community who should represent them.”

 

Mr Crisafulli said he was exploring changing the Local Government Act to enable a by-election to be called if no nominations were received in future elections.