The City of Casey has responded to the Local Government Reforms 2024 set out by Local Government Victoria.
The Local Government Bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday November 13, and was designed to modernise existing legislation and improve council democracy, accountability, and transparency.
Local councils were provided with an opportunity to make a submission in response to the reforms.
The City of Casey supports the recommendations outlined by Local Government Victoria including:
• Supporting a uniform Model Code of Conduct (Model Code) that would apply to call Councils. This would remove the need for Council endorsement and third party providers, such as a legal firm, MAV or VLGA would be able to deliver uniform training around the principles prescribed in the Model Code.
• Supports the proposal that councils must not indemnify councillors in relation to the internal arbitration process and the councillor conduct panel process, and supports the amendment to enable the arbitrator to grant leave to a party to have legal representation to ensure a fair process.
• Welcomes the proposal to strengthen the sanctions an arbiter may take, if a finding of misconduct has been made against a Councillor.
• Supports the proposal to clarify the application of privileges and statutory secrecy to Municipal Monitors and Commissions in Inquiry to ensure both are provided with all the required information to make an informed decision on processes, policies and laws.
• Supports that the Chief Municipal Inspector is given the power to issue infringements for certain offences, however Casey seeks clarity around the compliance would be monitored.
View the City of Casey’s Response Submission here.
