No confidence motion in code of conduct system passed at LGAT general meeting

The local government code of conduct panel should be disbanded, says the Kingborough mayor, following the passing of a no-confidence motion in the process.

• Growing calls for reform of code of conduct process dealing with complaints against Tasmanian councillors
• Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds to be cautioned after partly upheld code of conduct complaint from former alderman

A MOTION of no confidence in the councillor code of conduct system has passed at the local government’s peak body general meeting, with calls for the disbanding of the panel responsible.

The Local Government Association Tasmania held its latest general meeting at Wrest Point Casino on Thursday.

Kingborough Council put forward a motion urging LGAT to declare it had no confidence in the code of conduct panel and to call on the Local Government Minister to “take a more active role in resolving the issues.”

The motion came following a growing chorus calling for reform of the councillor code of conduct complaint process, after a series of outcomes this year that have left those involved and the general public scratching their heads.

Those include an investigation into whether Huon Valley councillor Mike Wilson had lied under oath about mints being handed out before council meetings and Sorell Councillor Deborah de Williams have a complaint upheld against her for saying “I need to get out

of here away from a certain person” to a resident in a council tea room.

Kingborough’s motion was amended at the LGAT general meeting to broaden it to declare no confidence in the entire process and was passed.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter called for the disbanding of the code of conduct panel. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mayor Dean Winter said he was pleased to see LGAT take a strong stance on the issue.

“The situation is now untenable – every single Tasmanian local government representative is potentially at risk by the ridiculous decisions being made by the code of conduct panel,” he said.

“The panel should be disbanded and replaced with a professional body that understand basic legal principles and can deliver decisions that are correct in law.”

A response to the original motion from the state government said it was working with LGAT and the sector on improving the effectiveness of code of conduct procedures.

“The government is committed to working closely with the sector to ensure that councils have

in place appropriate complaints handling and dispute resolution mechanisms at the local level

to better prevent the escalation of issues that do not warrant referral to the code of conduct

panel,” the response said.