The LGAQ is seeking urgent member views on two significant pieces of legislation introduced into Parliament by the Queensland Government during the week of 9 October 2017:
Local Government (Councillor Complaints) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017
and
Local Government Electoral (Implementing Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017
Key points
The former, if passed, would establish a new system for managing Councillor Complaints, including an Independent Assessor for assessing complaints and a mandatory code of conduct for councillors.
The latter would ban developer donations to (state) and local government election candidates and amend the conflict of interest provisions in the Local Government Act.
Both Bills have been referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee and submissions are due by 4pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Have your say
Councils are strongly encouraged to make submissions and share a copy of their submissions with the LGAQ, prior to the due date, by emailing ask@lgaq.asn.au, Attention Stephan Bohnen.
Councils are also invited to provide comments to the LGAQ about desired content to be included in the Code of Conduct and Model Meeting Procedures which will need to be developed if the Councillor Complaints Bill is passed.
NOTE: both of these Bills will lapse if the state election is called prior to the passage of the Bills through Parliament.
Contact
Any questions on either of these Bills can be directed to Stephan Bohnen, Principal Advisor – Intergovernmental Relations on 1300 542 700 or Stephan_Bohnen@lgaq.asn.au.