The Tasmanian Government is committed to ensuring that our communities can have complete faith in their local council under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
Today, the Government is taking further action to modernise the Local Government Code of Conduct framework, releasing the next steps for consultation.
Amendments to the Local Government (General) Regulations 2015 and a new ministerial Code of Conduct Order are required to bring into effect the provisions of the Local Government Amendment (Code of Conduct) Act 2023, which was passed by the Tasmanian Parliament in September last year.
Minister for Local Government, Nic Street, said that establishing a clear and consistent Code across all councils will strengthen community confidence and ensure all Tasmanian councillors are required to meet the same conduct and behavioural expectations.
"Today we have released for consultation draft statutory instruments that will support the implementation of important reforms to the Code of Conduct Framework," said Minister Street.
"These changes will modernise and improve the operation of the Code of Conduct Framework, as well as how councils manage disputes and behavioural issues."
"The changes to the regulations and establishment of a new Ministerial Order are essential to bring into effect the legislative amendments passed by the Parliament in September 2023."
The changes to the Regulations and new Code include:
- A new single statewide Code of Conduct that automatically applies to all councils and their elected members
- Minimum prescribed requirements to be included in newly required council dispute resolution policies
- The inclusion of a code of conduct breach for councillors engaging in 'prohibited conduct', as defined under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998
- Ensuring the code reflects gender neutral language.
This consultation period will be open for five weeks, until 20 August, 2024.
You can view the package of changes, including a summary of them at https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/local_government/local_government_code_of_conduct/code-of-conduct-framework-amendment-consultation-2024
