Reforms passed for Local Government conduct
The Queensland Parliament has passed the Local Government (Councillor Complaints) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018, aimed at providing a streamlined system for making, investigating and determining complaints about councillor conduct.
Amendments made to the Local Government Act 2009 and Public Service Act 2008 will have the effect of providing the State Government greater powers to suspend or dismiss a council or councillor where it is deemed in the public interest.
Among other changes, the Bill also:
- Establishes an Independent Assessor to investigate and deal with conduct complaints related to councillors ,
- Reallocates the functions of the current Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal and the Regional Conduct Review Panels to a new Councillor Conduct Tribunal and Local Government Remuneration Commission,
- Allows certain review rights for decisions about councillor conduct and judicial review of an administrative decision of a local government
- Mandates a code of conduct (made by the Minister) to set appropriate standards of behaviour for councillors in performing their functions
- Provides greater protection for local government employees and councillors who make complaints against councillors,
The provisions of the Bill apply to all local governments other than Brisbane City Council.