It was a night for reflection last Tuesday as Wyndham councillors gathered to discuss the state government’s changes to the Councillor Code of Conduct.
The changes, adopted unanimously by the councillors and to take immediate effect, give Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins and council the power to take action against councillors who breach the code.
Allegations of misconduct will be dealt with by independent panels that will have the power to suspend councillors for up to six months. Councillors accused of serious misconduct with a panel or VCAT hearing pending, councillors who demonstrate behaviour that could be identified as a threat to health and safety, and those exhibiting behaviour that prevents councils from performing their functions face the prospect of being stood down.
Cr Glenn Goodfellow said the previous code had too many grey areas and had been abused by some, which led to “malicious and vexatious claims being made against each other just to score cheap political points”.
“Some processes have been slower than they could’ve been and findings have not been consistent,” he said.
Cr Heather Marcus, frustrated by bullying complaints reported in the press, said she believed the council had been good over the course of the term.
“A lot of the time, we’ve all worked together.”
Cr Marie Brittan said if councillors spent more time together, it would open up lines of communication.
“It would stop us from saying something that’s hurtful and then apologising, thinking it’s all done and dusted … because it’s not,” she said.
Welcoming the changes, Cr Peter Maynard said the code acknowledged that at times, councillors just had a difference of opinion.
“There are times that those in local government just need to drink a cup of concrete and harden up,” he said.
Cr Gautam Gupta said the councillors should reflect on the hundreds of policies debated, the awards won, and compare themselves to other councils to realise they had achieved a lot in their current term.
