A NEW Bill introduced to State Parliament this week aims to make councils more accountable.
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The Bill would give the Local Government Minister the power to suspend individual councillors who pose a significant threat to the governance of a council for up to a year.
It also proposes to allow mayors serving two-year terms to be ousted from their roles, following a motion moved by at least three-quarters of all councillors in office.
In April this year, Ararat Rural City Council mayor Glenda McLean refused to step down from her role after accepting a job in Queensland. The council moved a no confidence motion and after several days, Cr McLean resigned.
The council’s acting mayor Gwenda Allgood said the council was aware of what the Bill is proposing.
“As the Bill is yet to be passed in Parliament, council will refrain at this stage from commenting on any of its specific measures,” she said.
The Bill will also define sexual harassment under the councillor code of conduct and will introduce the power to remove councillors for serious sexual harassment.
It would also require councils to develop four-year budgets and meet higher standards in strategic planning and financial management.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Tony Driscoll said his council had implemented a four-year strategic financial plan, from 2017 to 2021.
“This proposed Bill is for the minority. Most Councillors are hard-working for the community,” Cr Driscoll said.
“If councillors are doing the wrong thing, they should be held accountable.
“There has been consultation on the Bill and this is what the minister sees fit to do.”
Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz introduced the Bill to State Parliament on Wednesday, following three years of community consultation.
“We are bringing this Act into the 21st century – helping make councils more accountable and focused on the needs of their communities,” MP Kairouz said.
The Bill will replace the Local Government Act from 1989. The Bill has not been reviewed since then.