The state government passed retroactive laws earlier this month to force a by-election in the central Queensland city following the resignation of mayor Margaret Strelow over misconduct.

Hooper was in line to succeed her as runner-up in the March mayoral election under laws passed by the state government in June.

He tried to assume the role but Rockhampton Council delayed their regular meetings until the retrospective laws were passed, which stopped him from being sworn-in.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland has announced a mayoral by-election will now be held in the city on January 23.

On that day there will also be a by-election to fill new state Labor MP Les Walker’s position as a councillor in Townsville.

ECQ commissioner Pat Vidgen said now is an ideal time for Rockhampton and Townsville voters to ensure they’re enrolled.

“The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to enrol, update, or check your enrolment by going to aec.gov.au,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“It only takes a few minutes; in fact, a drinks’ break during the cricket might be a great time to go online and make sure you’re correctly enrolled.”

The Labor government admitted that it initially designed the automatic succession laws to deter popular councillors from running for state parliament.

But the law didn’t prove effective with a number of councillors running in the October state election.

Strelow resigned in November after the Councillor Conduct Tribunal found her guilty of misconduct over her failure to declare a $1600 trip to an Adani solar plant in Mumbai in 2017.

She and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill later announced their councils would fund a $30 million airport for the company’s Carmichael coalmine in central Queensland.

Adani Australia changed its name to Bravus Resources last month.