The Minister for Planning and Local Government, Peter Gutwein MP, is seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) for membership of the Local Government Code of Conduct Panel (the Panel).
The Panel replaces the current 29 separate council code of conduct panels, and the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) Standards Panel, creating a streamlined, practical and enforceable framework.
The Panel will be responsible for the investigation and determination of code of conduct complaints against councillors under Tasmania’s new code of conduct framework and will have additional powers to suspend councillors for serious breaches of the code of conduct.
Underpinning the new framework is the model code of conduct, made by order of the Minister. The model code of conduct will prescribe a clear standard of behaviour that all Tasmanian councillors are required to meet when performing their role. Councils will be required to adopt the model code of conduct, which may be supplemented with relevant council policies and procedures, as approved by the Minister.
Multiple serious breaches of the code of conduct are not tolerated under the new framework, which provides for the Minister to remove a councillor from office if he or she has received a suspension sanction for three code of conduct breaches during one term of office, or two consecutive terms of office. This provides a powerful deterrent and ensures that councils can run effectively without the distraction of repeated bad behaviour.
The efficiency of the system is enhanced by providing the Panel with the ability to dismiss frivolous and vexatious complaints.
Enforceability is a hallmark of the new framework. If a councillor fails to comply with a sanction imposed by the Panel, that councillor may face a penalty of a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units, which currently equates to $7 700.
The new framework encourages councillors and councils to act in the best interests of their local communities and effectively addresses the instances in which a councillor disregards the standard of behaviour that the community expects of them and that they have agreed to uphold in performing their role.
The EOI, including member eligibility requirements, has been advertised in The Examiner, The Mercury and The Advocate newspapers, and via the Government Gazette.
Further information regarding the EOI for Membership of the Code of Conduct Panel, and the draft model code of conduct, can be found on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Local Government Division website at www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/local_government.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government
