Councillor Code of Conduct

The Local Government Act 2009 has been amended to provide that the Minister must make a Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland that sets out the standards of behaviour for councillors and mayors in performing their functions. The standards of behaviour are summarised as the three R’s, being:

 

  • Responsibilities
  • Respect
  • Reputation

The Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland sets out the values Councillors should demonstrate under each of the five local government principles and the standards of behaviour expected of Councillors and Mayors when carrying out their role as elected representatives.

By following the behaviours set out in the code of conduct, councillors increase confidence in local government and council decisions.

Councillors Code of Conduct (PDF)

Complaints About Councillor Conduct

Inappropriate conduct

Inappropriate conduct is defined in section 150K of the Local Government Act 2009.

From 3 December 2018 the Independent Assessor and the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) will assess and investigate complaints about inappropriate conduct by councillors.

Previously, complaints about councillor conduct were assessed by the Chief Executive of the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, or the council’s CEO.

The OIA can choose to either:

  1. Investigate the complaint and make a decision; or
  2. Refer the complaint back to the CEO for investigation.

Where complaints about inappropriate conduct are investigated by the CEO, the decision about the complaint will be made by Council at an ordinary Council meeting.

If you require further information about making a complaint to the OIA you can visit their website, email OIAcomplaints@oia.qld.gov.au or call 1300 620 722.

 

Misconduct

Misconduct is defined in section 150L of the Local Government Act 2009.

From 3 December 2018 the Independent Assessor and the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) will assess and investigate complaints about misconduct by councillors.

Previously, complaints about councillor conduct were assessed by the chief executive of the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, or the council’s CEO.

The OIA can choose to either:

  1. Investigate the complaint and make a decision; or
  2. Refer the complaint to the Councillor Conduct Tribunal for investigation and decision.

If you require further information about making a complaint to the OIA you can visit their website, email OIAcomplaints@oia.qld.gov.au or call 1300 620 722.

 

Corrupt Conduct

Corrupt conduct is defined in section 15 of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.

If Council, the OIA or the Councillor Conduct Tribunal receives a complaint that potentially involves corrupt conduct, the complaint is referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) for investigation.

If you require further information about making a complaint to the CCC you can visit their website at www.ccc.qld.gov.au, email mailbox@ccc.qld.gov.au or call 1800 061 611.

 

Where a complaint does not constitute a councillor conduct complaint

The OIA may assess that the complaint is another type of complaint and not a councillor conduct complaint. If this occurs the complaint will be referred back to Council and processed under the relevant complaints process, such as the Administrative Action Complaints process.

Register Of Complaints Against Councillors

Council is required to keep a register of complaints made against councillors and the outcome of these complaints. There are some exceptions to recording complaints regarding public interest disclosures in the register.

The Councillor Conduct Register is available for public inspection by downloading the pdf here.

Councillor Conduct Register (PDF)