The group claims the council has effectively gagged candidates from speaking out because of pending court action.
However, two mayoral candidates spoken to by the Otago Daily Times yesterday said while they were aware the public thought they had been "gagged", it was more about protecting themselves and the future council.
The alliance, which saw QAC create and sell 24.99% shareholding to Auckland Airport for $27.7 million in July, has been one of the major election issues this year - but pending court action has meant candidates, parties to the deal and even the public have been unable to speak freely on the matter.
Group spokesman John Martin said the group and Air New Zealand had separately gone to the High Court to "freeze the position" and to seek the "entire strategic alliance deal be ruled unlawful and set aside".
Both applications were lodged with the High Court at Invercargill on August 17.
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Debra Lawson has previously expressed "disappointment" legal proceedings had been brought, with the Office of the Auditor-general (OAG) committing to undertake an "in-depth, independent investigation", which would have meant minimal cost for ratepayers.
However, Mr Martin said an investigation by the OAG would take "many months, without any real power to fix it".
"The court case could be many months away and could be appealed. The court case is about compliance with process, not whether it's a good deal.
"Talk about our airport - don't be gagged. Ask questions."
Mr Martin said the future ownership and control of Queenstown Airport, which also managed Wanaka Airport, was "at stake" and the new council would have the "important role" of determining its future.
"A recent QLDC meeting was held to have your say, but [council] lawyers scared people, who then didn't speak.
"Candidates have been warned about having views, even at election time. What kind of democracy is that?"
Cr Vanessa van Uden said there were "some subjects" she was not at liberty to discuss because they had been "given to councillors in confidence".
However, she did not feel "at all gagged".
Fellow mayoral candidate Michael Scott said he was effectively gagging himself as he had not been party to the details of the deal, unlike the mayor and councillors.
The third mayoral candidate, Simon Hayes, is overseas.
