Council invites community input on Election Period Policy

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:  

All interested community members are encouraged to download and review the  Draft Election Period Policy and provide any thoughts or feedback via the short survey on Council’s website.  

The consultation period will remain open for community feedback between Friday 28 July and Friday 18 August 2023. 

For more information, please visit Pen your preferences on the Election Period Policy. 

Council will next enter an Election Period 32 days prior to the October 2024 general election.