Roger Jaensch,Minister for Local Government and Planning
The Tasmanian Government is today releasing a report in regard to the recent review of the Local Government Code of Conduct Framework.
The Code of Conduct Framework was first introduced in 2016 at the request of the local government sector.
Since that time, concerns have been raised about the types of complaints being investigated, their associated costs and whether some types of complaints should instead be dealt with through internal dispute resolution processes.
In 2020, the Government consulted with the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the sector to understand how to improve the Code of Conduct Framework.
The Report released today outlines the Government’s response to the review and identifies a number of ways in which Code of Conduct processes can be improved.
As a first step, we will be consulting on a range of draft amendments to the Local Government Act, early next year.
Other elements of the response include a review of the Model Code of Conduct and a feasibility study regarding the transfer of the Code of Conduct Framework, or elements of it, to the jurisdiction of the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Issues of legal representation, appeal rights, the need for further sanctions and other relevant matters will be considered at this time.
