Elected Members Code of Conduct

On 10 September 2024 a single statewide Code of Conduct came into effect for all Tasmanian councils without the need for formal adoption by individual councils.

The Local Government (Code of Conduct) Order 2024 can be viewed on the Tasmanian Legislation website.

More information about the Code of Conduct Framework for Tasmanian councillors can be found on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.

Purpose

The Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of Councillors in respect to all aspects of their role as elected representatives of the Brighton community.

The following standards are identified and addressed within the Code:

1. Decision making.
2. Conflict of interest that are not pecuniary.
3. Use of office.
4. Use of resources.
5. Use of information.
6. Gifts and benefits.
7. Relationships with community, councillors and council employees.
8. Representation.

Making a Code of Conduct complaint

Note: Lodging a code of conduct complaint should be seen as a last resort where a complainant has sought to resolve an issue directly with the subject of the complaint or through council’s dispute resolution process and is unsatisfied with the outcome.

Complete a Local Government Code of Conduct Complaint Form and lodge it with the Chief Executive Officer within six (6) months of the alleged contravention.

The complaint form must be accompanied by:
– a statutory declaration verifying the accuracy of the information contained in the complaint; and
– payment of the prescribed fee for 2024-25 which is $93.50

Lodge the complaint with the CEO via email admin@brighton.tas.gov.au or in person at the Council Chambers, 1 Tivoli Road, Old Beach.

Once satisfied that the code of conduct complaint meets prescribed requirements, the CEO will then forward the complaint to the Code of Conduct Panel for determination.

Gifts and Donations Register

The Local Government Act 1993 requires Councils to keep a register of gifts and donations received by Councillors. The register was last updated on 4 November 2024.

Gifts and Donations Register 2024

Council elections are held every four years. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors are elected for four-year terms.

Elections are usually held in October of each election year. The next local government elections are due in October 2026.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission is responsible for the supervision of local government elections. The Electoral Commission appoints returning officers to run the election.

For more information on local government elections, please visit the Tasmanian Electoral Commission

If you are considering standing as a candidate you can find information on how to nominate and get a seat at the table on the Local Government Association Tasmania website.

Voting System

Council elections are conducted by postal ballot.  All elections for councillor positions are required to be conducted by using a multi-member proportional representation electoral system. This is directly modelled on the Hare-Clarke system used for Tasmanian House of Assembly elections.

A feature of the Hare-Clarke electoral system is that vacant seats are filled by recount rather than by elections.

Under the postal ballot system there is a polling period of at least fifteen days (excluding any Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday), rather than a single polling day.

Enrolment Information

If you are currently on the State Electoral Roll for State and Federal Elections for your address in the Brighton municipal area you are automatically on the Local Government Roll.

To check your enrolment on the Electoral Roll please visit the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website at www.aec.gov.au and click on the “Check Enrolment” button. An enrolment form can also be obtained from that website or by calling the AEC on 132 326 or from any post office.

General Manager’s Roll

The General Manager’s Roll is a list of people who are eligible to vote in local government elections, even if they don’t live in the Brighton municipality.

You are eligible to enrol on the “General Manager’s Roll” if you:

• Own land within the municipal area, but you do not live in the area and are registered on the State Electoral Roll at the address outside of the area, or
• Occupy land within the municipal area, but are not eligible to be on the State roll for the area: General Managers Roll_Enrolment Form – Individual
• Are the nominated representative of a corporate body that owns or occupies land in the Brighton municipality: General Managers Roll Enrolment Form – Corporate Nominee

A voter, in an election in respect of one municipal area, has a maximum of two votes:

• one vote is in their own right, and
• one vote is on behalf of a corporate body

Completed forms can be:

• Delivered to the Council Offices, located at 1 Tivoli Road, Old Beach (open from 8.15 am to 4.45 pm weekdays), or

• Mailed to:
  General Manager
  Brighton Council
  1 Tivoli Road
  OLD BEACH TAS 7017

Please note that forms cannot be submitted online or by email.

Enrolment on the General Manager’s Roll is not automatic. If you have recently updated your enrolment – thank you. If you have previously registered for the General Manager’s Roll but need to update your enrolment details, you are required to re-register to ensure your details are up-to-date.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission has more information about local government elections, and the upcoming 2022 local government elections on its website.