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Local elections, referendum day in Qld

Queenslanders are heading to the polls to vote in their council elections and a state referendum to extend parliamentary terms to four years.

Voters posting their votes
Election day has arrived in WA with voters ready to decide who will be in charge of the state. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Queenslanders are heading to the polls and have two important decisions to make.

The first poll on Saturday will decide who heads their local council and the second will determine whether state parliamentary terms will be extended from three years to four.

The race for Brisbane - Australia's most heavily populated local government area - is expected to be tight amid predictions LNP Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 18 per cent margin will be slashed.

A Galaxy poll predicted Mr Quirk's margin would drop to 3 per cent, while Labor has said internal polling had its candidate Rod Harding slightly in front.

Queensland's richest mayor, Tom Tate, is expected to serve another term on the Gold Coast, while former Newman government MP Jack Dempsey is tipped to get the top job in Bundaberg.

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A record 1787 candidates are standing in the 77 races across the state.

The contests have been fierce, with the elections labelled the dirtiest in years due to baseless mud-slinging designed to damage candidates' reputations.

A "no vote" is predicted in the referendum on four-year fixed parliamentary terms, despite both major parties pushing for the change.

Queensland is the only Australian state or territory that holds elections every three years instead of every four.

Opponents argue three-year terms work well because they help hold governments to account in the only Australian state that doesn't have an upper house.


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