Council is seeking community input on its revised Election Period Policy, which will govern the conduct of Councillors and modify Council business during the next Election Period in October 2024.
Councils are required to maintain an Election Period Policy to ensure that elections are held in a fair and equitable manner. State Government legislation also prevents Council from making major decisions during an Election Period and imposes several other restrictions.
A number of changes have been made to the existing policy to provide clarity and improve its functionality. Some of the actions included in the Policy:
- Avoid making significant new policies or decisions that could unreasonably bind a future Council.
- Ensure that public resources, including staff resources, are not used in election campaigning or in a way that may improperly influence the result of an election, or improperly advantage existing Councillors as candidates.
- Limit public consultation and Council events.
- Councillor candidates will be treated in the same way as other candidates with respect to access to Council held information.
“This Policy clearly sets out the approved Councillor and Council actions and prohibits certain decision-making during the election time” says Baw Baw Shire Mayor, Annemarie McCabe. “It ensures that all behaviour is conducted in fair, ethical and equitable manner across the board.”
“The Election Period Policy is important for Council’s governance that’s why we have been reviewing its wording and making changes where necessary and now we want to make sure that it’s meeting our community’s expectations.”
How community members can provide their feedback:
Council will next enter an Election Period 32 days prior to the October 2024 general election.
Quote attributable to Mover, Councillor Michael Leaney
“We have made a number of changes to the policy in line with protocols and legislation, some of which include, changes on how customer requests facilitated through councillors can continue during this time and a new section regarding councillors who declare candidacy in state or federal elections.
Quote attributable to Seconder, Councillor Farhat Firdous
“I would like to highlight a new clause that states the CEO can correct any misinformation circulating in the community during this period. This is a great new addition to the policy, especially in a fast-moving social media world it is important that misinformation is corrected as soon as possible.