Integrity, participation and representation are three performance indicators that will be placed upon elected representatives in the Local Government Bill 2018, which was released in draft form this week.

Aside from an individual council’s councillor code of conduct, the draft bill states councillors must avoid conflicts between their public duties as a councillor and their personal interests and obligations and act honestly and avoid statements (whether oral or in writing) or actions that will or are likely to mislead or deceive a person. 

They must, according to the bill, treat all persons with respect and have due regard to the opinions, beliefs, rights and responsibilities of other councillors, members of council staff and other persons and must act in a way that secures and preserves public confidence in the office of councillor.

Local government minister Marlene Kairouz on Tuesday released the draft bill, which aims to replace the current local government act which, according to the government, has been amended 100 times.

The draft bill also mandates councils have an updated councillor gift policy, which includes the maintenance of a gifts register and a threshold by which gifts must be recorded on the register.

The bill will be open for public comment until February 23.

Minister Kairouz said: “This bill will ensure councils are accountable and focused on delivering what’s important to ratepayers.”

Victorian Local Government Association chief executive officer Kathryn Arndt welcomed the revised meeting rules in the bill, and the requirement for a publicly transparent gift policy for councillors.

Ms Arndt said the draft bill will require further analysis to ensure the right balance is achieved between the powers of the state government and the roles local government.

Bendigo council gift register