Councillor Conduct Framework Reform

Strong and thriving communities rely on effective local government. No other level of government is as closely connected to the issues and people it serves.

The Councillor Conduct Framework is currently under review to strengthen local decision-making, improve transparency, and ensure accountability across NSW councils.

Effective local government requires councillors to lead with integrity and make decisions transparently. The way councillors conduct themselves and how decisions are made in meetings must reflect a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the impact those decisions have on their communities.

The revised framework will be guided by the following principles:

• council leadership and decision-making is paramount
• freedom of speech is fundamental
• transparency and accountability must be maintained
• issues should be resolved at the most immediate or local level
• a strong and proportionate local government regulator
• justice must be timely and proportionate
• significant penalties should only be imposed by a judicial or quasi-judicial body.

In the February 2025, the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig announced that a review will examine the appropriate jurisdiction for presiding over councillor misconduct matters. The NSW Government is currently considering this as part of the broader Councillor Conduct Framework Reforms.

Next steps

Feedback received through consultation on Councillor Conduct Framework Reforms has contributed to further development and refinement of the reforms. OLG is currently preparing changes to the draft legislation, regulations and materials for implementation from late 2025 onwards.

In December 2024, OLG exhibited A New Model Code of Meeting Practice – Consultation draft (PDF, 758 KB).

181 submissions on the consultation draft were received informing further development of the revised Model Meeting Code. To maintain privacy and confidentiality, each submission required a thorough review and redactions, which contributed to the delay in publication of submissions.