The Victorian Government is set to introduce tough new powers for mayors to remove misbehaving councillors from council meetings.
Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell made the announcement at the Victorian Local Governance Association’s Essential Mayors weekend in Werribee in January.
Ms Powell said the new legislation would be instrumental in raising the standard of councillor behaviour.
“Council meetings are for important discussion and decision-making and cannot afford to be marred by inappropriate councillor behaviour as has been the case in some municipalities.
“In the past some councillors have thought they can get away with unruly, disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour during council meetings – this must stop.”
Ms Powell said councillors must lead by example acting with respect and integrity, in a way that encourages public confidence in the office of councillor.
“It must be remembered that councillors are elected representatives with a significant public role and the community expects them to maintain high standards of conduct at all times.”
A review of councillor conduct and governance has been underway since May 2013 and legislation is now being drafted to be introduced to the Victorian Parliament this year which will give mayors the power to suspend misbehaving councillors.
If the individual councillor continues to misbehave after being warned twice by the mayor, the mayor will have the power to suspend the councillor from the meeting.
“While most councillors conduct themselves appropriately and in accordance with their code of conduct, when they fail to do so these new reforms will enhance the Act’s existing provisions for dealing with misconduct,” Ms Powell said.
Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) President Sebastian Klein said the VLGA was supportive of measures that reinforce good governance.
“[We] look forward to a closer review of the proposed measures, which are part of the reforms canvassed during the review of councillor conduct and governance run by Local Government Victoria last year.
“Of particular interest will be how the amendments define inappropriate behaviour and provisions to ensure the new mayoral powers are used fairly.”
