Legislation has been passed under the State Government to improve council governance integrity stands, just before the upcoming Local Government elections in October.
The reform of the Local Government Act 2020, passed through Parliament in June, will enhance governance and integrity standards in Victoria’s 79 councils – and will be in place for the new council term following the local government elections.
Councils will have a uniform councillor code of conduct to create consistent standards of behaviour and increase accountability, including a program of mandatory training to be introduced for councillors and mayors, as well as annual professional development.
The reforms provide stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved processes to resolve conduct matters earlier.
The Minister for Local Government will also have strengthened powers to deal with councillors identified to have posed serious risk to health and safety, and prevented their council from performing its functions.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said the legislation would help Victorians to be confident in their local representatives.
“By improving governance and integrity standards in councils across the state, we are ensuring all Victorians can be confident in their local representatives,” she said.
“These reforms have been developed through extensive consultation with the local government sector, and will help councillors perform their roles effectively.”
The reforms have been developed in response to reports and recommendations of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the Chief Municipal Inspector, and other interventions which showed the need for stronger processes and powers to resolve conduct issues, and better training so councillors can perform their roles effectively.
For further information about the Model Councillor Code of Conduct and to contribute to the code design consultation, visit www.engage.vic.gov.au.
Further information about the reforms, visit www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au.
