Gifts and Benefits

Section 72A—Register of gifts and benefits of the Local Government Act states:

1. A member of a council must not seek out or receive a gift or benefit that is, or could reasonably be taken to be, intended or likely to create a sense of obligation to a person on the part of the member or influence the member in the performance or discharge of their functions or duties.
2. If a member of a council receives a gift or benefit of an amount greater than the amount determined by the Minister (from time to time), by notice in the Gazette, the member must provide details of the gift or benefit to the chief executive officer of the council in accordance with any requirements of the chief executive officer.

For the purposes of section 72A(2), the threshold amount governing when a gift or benefit must be declared is $50.00 effective from 17 November 2022 as gazetted by the Minister for Local Government.

The Council Member Gifts and Benefits Register will be updated on a quarterly basis at the end of March, June, September and December. If there have been no additions to the Register, a statement to this effect, along with the date will be included on this page above the link to the Register.

There have been no changes to the Register as of 17 April 2024.

• Council Member Gifts and Benefits Register at 30 June 2023

Allowances and Benefits

Section 79—Register of allowances and benefits of the Local Government Act states:

1. The chief executive officer of a council must ensure that a record (the Register of Allowances and Benefits) is kept in which is entered, in accordance with principles (if any) prescribed by the regulations, in respect of each member of the council—
   1. the annual allowance payable to the member; and
   2. details of any expenses reimbursed by the council under section 77(1)(b); and
   3. details of other benefits paid or payable to, or provided for the benefit of, the member by the council.
2. The chief executive officer must ensure that an appropriate record is made in the Register, in accordance with principles prescribed by the regulations, in respect of—
   1. changes in the allowance or a benefit payable to, or provided for the benefit of, members; or
   2. the provision of a reimbursement (other than a reimbursement under section 77(1)(a)) or benefit not previously recorded in the Register

• Council Member Allowances and Benefits Register

Register of Interest

Training and Development

Section 80A of the Local Government Act 1999 (the Local Government Act) and Regulation 8AA of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013 (the General Regulations), sets out the legal requirements for training and development for council members.  A council member must comply with the prescribed mandatory requirements, which includes the LGA Training Standards set out in this document. Failure to comply will result in a suspension of the council member by Council (unless the member satisfies the council there were good reasons for the failure to comply). A council member must undertake the Mandatory Training within the first 12 months of their four-year term.

Subsection 80A(2h) of the Local Government Act 1999 requires the CEO to maintain a register relating to training and development of council members. The Register includes details of completed mandatory training as well as discretionary training completed by Council Members.  The Strategy and Finance component was completed on 18 November 2023.

Council Member Training and Development Register 2022-2026

Council has adopted the following policies relating to Member Training:

• Council Members Training and Development
• Induction for Council Members

Click here to view the LGA Training Standards for Council Members

Click here for a copy of the LGA Counci Member Mandatory Training Program