2019-11-12 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      12 NOVEMBER 2019


and penalties for non-compliance.2 Furthermore, a Councillor complaints framework was
implemented which included:
   Introducing a uniform Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland;
   Model meeting procedures for meeting behaviour;
   Amendment of the publically available councillor conduct register;
   Creation of the Office of the Independent Assessor; and,
   New annual report requirements.


2.       Local Government Stage 2 Reforms
On 16 October 2019, the Queensland Parliament passed the Local Government Electoral
(Implementing Stage 2 of Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019, colloquially
called “Belcarra Stage 2 reforms”, which goes beyond the original recommendations in the
Belcarra Report by addressing additional electoral reforms. Subsequently, a series of changes
will come into effect as outlined in the below implementation timetable.3
a. In effect from the Governor’s assent of the legislation
 Mandatory training – Training for all election candidates titled “So you want to be a
   councillor?” must be completed before nominating for election, including existing mayors and
   councillors. The training contains two modules covering the obligations on candidates and, if
   elected, the obligations on councillors. Furthermore, the training aligns with recent local
   government reforms and will ensure that all councillors and mayors are aware of their current
   and future legal obligations. Election candidates will need to submit their training completion
   certificate with their nomination to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ). Training
   will be made available online in late 2019 by the Department of Local Government, Racing
   and Multicultural Affairs (DLGRMA). Over the coming months, DLGRMA will also be
   delivering a number of targeted face-to-face training sessions at regional locations across
   Queensland. Councillors and candidates can register for updates to find out when the new
   training is available by visiting www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/candidates.
 Electoral financial records – Candidates and groups must open a dedicated campaign
   account where all election funding and expenditure must go through in relation to their
   campaign. Furthermore, credit cards cannot be used for election expenditure. A candidate’s
   account details must also be disclosed on their ECQ nomination form.
 Caretaker period restrictions – New prohibitions on making decisions during the election
   period (i.e. caretaker period) include:
     o    Significant procurement activities, such as establishing preferred supplier arrangements;
     o    Making local laws;
     o    Making planning schemes; and,
     o    Varying existing development approvals.
     Additionally, fact sheets or newsletters that raise the profile of a councillor are considered
     prohibited material during the caretaker period.
b. In effect from 18 November 2019
 Right to Information laws – Queensland’s Right to Information Act 2009 will be extended to
   cover Brisbane City Council’s civic cabinet meetings.


2 DLGRMA, Local Government Bulletins: Recent changes to legislation – implementation of Stage 1 of the Operation

Belcarra report recommendations and automatic suspension of Councillors, 28 May 2018.
3 DLGRMA, Stage 2 local government reforms: Information paper on recent changes to legislation and future

amendments under consideration, October 2019.

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