The Queensland Government has progressed reforms to better empower Queensland councils with the passing of the Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill in Parliament last week.
The amendments in the Bill empowers councils to better serve their communities, establishing a practical legislative framework that strengthens accountability while cutting unnecessary red tape.
Changes include:
- Streamlining the work of councils by removing unnecessary red tape and regulation.
- Improving transparency by simplifying the councillor conflicts of interest and register of interests framework.
- Focusing the councillor conduct framework to better address serious misconduct and removing the process for councillors sitting in judgement of their peers.
- Protecting the privacy and safety of election participants by removing the requirement to publicly disclose residential addresses.
- Empowering mayors to be the voice for their councils.
Read full media statement here: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104633
