The Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Act 2021 introduced new Behavioural Standards for Elected Members in November 2022.

The resulting changes to a number of sections within the Local Government Act 1999 (Act) mean that a number of matters previously set out within the statutory Code of Conduct for Council Members (Council’s Code of Conduct for Council Members Policy PO123) (COC) now form part of a new Conduct Management Framework.

Instead of the COC, the Act now requires Council to adopt a Behavioural Management Policy relating to the management of Elected Member behaviour, including a specific process for the receipt and management of a complaint. The Behavioural Management Policy replaces the former COC.

There are transitional provisions that apply while Council’s own Behavioural Management Policy is being developed, where the LGA’s Model Behavioural Management Policy will apply.

LGA Model Behavioural Management Policy