147Cost of elections and polls

1. If the electoral officer of a local authority conducts an election or poll, the reasonable costs and expenses of conducting that election or poll (except expenses of scrutineers and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of candidates) must be paid by the local authority.

2. If an electoral officer of a local authority conducts an election or poll using the services of any electoral official employed by or engaged by or on behalf of another local authority, the local authority for whom the election or poll is conducted must pay to the local authority whose employees or contractors have provided services the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by that local authority, as agreed by or on behalf of the local authorities concerned.

3. Any dispute about the amount to be paid under subsection (2) must be determined by the Auditor-General after any inquiry that the Auditor-General thinks fit.

4. The decision of the Auditor-General under subsection (3) is final and binding on the local authorities concerned.

5. Nothing in this section limits the provisions of any other Act.