Local Government (Governance) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (22:04): I move:

That this bill be now read second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech and explanation of clauses inserted in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

This is a short but important Bill which aims to make two amendments to the current requirements for elected members of local government, taking into account the impending local government elections that will be held in November this year.

Specifically, this Bill amends sections 60 and 80A of the Local Government Act 1999, to enhance the significance of the elected members' declaration on taking office and to introduce mandatory training for council members.

The aim of these amendments is that elected members will develop an enhanced understanding of their roles and responsibilities in representing their local communities. Their declaration upon taking office will be significant, and they will be subject to a mandatory – though not too onerous – requirement that they undertake training and development.

These amendments were recommended by the Ombudsman in the 2011 Final Report of the investigation of the City of Charles Sturt and have been through an extensive consultation process.

To be clear, this Bill is proceeding at the urging of the Local Government Association, which views these changes as being critical to improving the understanding elected members will have about their roles and responsibilities.

It is noted that the Shadow Minister has agreed to assist in expediting consideration of this Bill, given the intention to have new arrangements in place for the start of the new local government term following the November Council elections.

It is the Government's intention to consult on and consider a range of other local government legislative reforms, with a view to seeking introduction of a comprehensive local government reform bill in the first part of 2015.

Should this Bill pass into law, it is intended to amend the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013 to prescribe the content of the declaration and the mandatory training framework.

I commend the Bill to Members.

Explanation of Clauses

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Short title

2—Commencement

3—Amendment provisions

These clauses are formal.

Part 2—Amendment of Local Government Act 1999

4—Amendment of section 60—Declaration to be made by members of councils

This clause amends section 60 to enable the regulations to prescribe the content (in addition to the manner and form) of the undertaking that council members must make.

5—Amendment of section 80A—Training and development

This clause amends section 80A to enable requirements to be prescribed by the regulations relating to a training and development policy that must be prepared by each council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.

At 22:05 the council adjourned until Thursday 16 October 2014 at 14:15.