The Local Government Bill 2018 was introduced to State Parliament on Wednesday following three years of public consultation. 

The Act proposes new reforms, which give the Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz the power to suspend individual councillors who pose a threat to the governance of council for up to a year. 

Other reforms included addressing sexual harassment under the councillor code of conduct, introducing the power to remove councillors for serious sexual harassment and allowing mayors serving two-year terms to be ousted from their roles following a motion moved by at least three-quarters of all councillors. It also proposes new measures to ensure service charges levied by councils do not exceed the cost of those services.

Yarriambiack Shire mayor Graeme Massey said council was revising its own code of conduct.

“We don’t have a problem with the suggested reforms; we have a very conservative and well-behaved bunch of people in council and have never had a code of conduct issue,” he said.

“It won’t be remissive if these measures are in put in place; I can imagine the Minister of Local Government gets frustrated with dealing with poorly behaved councilors all the time.”

Hindmarsh Shire mayor Ron Ismay said he supported the revision. However, he does not believe the new Act would affect his council. 

“I've served about 12 years on council – with Hindmarsh and the former Shire of Dimboola – and I can't remember a time where I've had issues,” he said. “There were always some contentious things but we were able to move through them well.”

Horsham Rural City mayor Pam Clarke said the review of the Local Government Act was extensive and the outcome was positive.

“There are more controls over the new Act. This will tighten things up and give councils more responsibility and allow the minister to step in quickier,” she said. 

Northern Grampians Shire mayor Tony Driscoll said the Bill was for the minority and most councillors were hard-working for their community.

“Most councillors are doing the right thing. There has been consultation and this is what the minister sees fit to do,” he said.

“If councillors are doing the wrong thing they should be held accountable.” 

Ararat Rural City acting mayor Gwenda Allgood said council was aware of the proposed Act and was involved in discussions and briefings across the past 12 months.