Introduction
As the newly appointed 2020 Local Government mayors and
councillors across Queensland settle into their electorates and new
(or for some, renewed) responsibilities, it is timely to highlight
their legal obligations under the reformed local government
regulatory framework.
The reforms came off the back of 31 recommendations made by the
Crime and Corruption Commission in their final report delivered on
4 October 2017 as part of 'Operation Belcarra'. Included in
these reforms was the establishment of the Office of the
Independent Assessor (OIA) aimed at facilitating
the return of good government.
Amnesty period announced
On 5 May 2020, the OIA announced a three-month amnesty would
apply to first-time mayors and councillors who become the subject
of minor misconduct complaints.
