Local Government Code of Conduct

Code of conduct framework for Tasmanian councillors

The Local Government Amendment (Code of Conduct) Act 2015 (the Amendment Act), which incorporates a number of amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act), commenced on 13 April 2016.

The Act has been amended to provide a new local government code of conduct framework for Tasmanian councillors and a number of other miscellaneous changes.

For more information on making a code of conduct complaint, please see Making a complaint or contact your council.

The following guidance material has been created to assist councils with the framework:

• Information sheet – Local Government Code of Conduct – Model Code of Conduct
  

  This information sheet provides guidance on the legislative requirements of councils in relation to the model code of conduct for Tasmanian councillors.

• Information sheet – Local Government Code of Conduct – Overview of Complaint Process

  This information sheet provides guidance on the role of general managers in the code of conduct complaint process.

• Information Sheet - Local government Code of Conduct - Information for Complainants

  This information sheet provided guidance for complainants lodging a code of conduct complaint against a councillor.

• Information Sheet - Local government Code of Conduct - Information for Councillor
  This information sheet provides guidance for councillors against whom a code of conduct complaint has been made.

• Flowchart – Local Government Code of Conduct Framework

• Local Government Code of Conduct Complaint Lodgement Form

Information on lodging a complaint

Section 28Z of the Local Government Act provides that:

(a) if the complaint is against less than half of all the councillors of the council, is to refer the complaint to the Code of Conduct Panel by providing it to the Executive Officer; and

(b) if the complaint is against one half or more of all the councillors of the council, is to refer the complaint to the Director of Local Government.

The email address for the Executive Officer of the Code of Conduct Panel to lodge a complaint or further information is: lgconduct@dpac.tas.gov.au

For further information regarding code of conduct complaints please call the Executive Officer on 6232 7013.

If the complaint relates to Section 28Z (b) of the Local Government Act, please email the Local Government Division at lgd@dpac.tas.gov.au or telephone 03 6232 7022.

Code of conduct framework review

The Tasmanian Government and the local government sector have recently completed a joint review of the local government Code of Conduct Framework.

As a result of the review, the Government is proposing a package of 19 individual improvements to the framework, which will include legislative amendments, changes to the Model Code and administrative and process improvements. The proposed changes are designed to increase the sector’s ownership of, and commitment to, the framework and improve the efficiency of complaints processes, including through the early dismissal of trivial complaints.

The sector will have a further opportunity to provide input to legislative amendments and changes to the Model Code before they are finalised.

The Review of the Local Government Code of Conduct - Tasmanian Government Response June 2018 is available for to view and download.

For further information regarding the review please contact the Local Government Division on 03 6232 7022 or by email to lgd@dpac.tas.gov.au.