The South Australian Government has announced it is seeking feedback on new rules for clear and consistent standards of behaviour in the State’s 68 councils.

 

State/Local Government Relations Minister Russell Wortley and President of the South Australian Local Government association, Mayor Kym McHugh, released the draft Mandatory Code of Conduct for Council Members.

 

“We want South Australians to have confidence in their elected representatives. These principles support a code of behaviour that will continue to be managed by councils and more serious allegations that will be investigated in the first instance by the Ombudsman,” Mr Wortley said.

 

“Repeated breaches of behavioural matters can be also referred to the Ombudsman.

 

“The vast majority of council members are dedicated to community service and their behaviour reflects this commitment.

 

“However, from time to time council members might behave in a way that is simply not acceptable to the community, or their council.

 

Mayor McHugh said each Council in South Australia is currently responsible for producing its own Code of Conduct.

 

“The creation of a single Code will provide consistency and certainty across the Local Government sector,” Mayor McHugh said.

 

“State-wide consistency will ensure all Council members and citizens can easily understand what conduct can and should be expected from our elected representatives.”

 

The draft code reflects the many comments made on the Improving Governance Discussion Paper released in early 2012.

 

Comments should be submitted by Friday 21 December 2012. The draft code and an Explanatory Paper are available online from www.lga.sa.gov.au and www.localgovt.sa.gov.au