WA to introduce mandatory councillor training
March 18, 2019
The Western Australian Government has introduced new legislation before parliament that will require all local government candidates to complete training before nominating in this year’s local government elections.
The Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will see candidates be required to complete an online induction program to prior to nomination.
Under the proposed law, following their electoral victory, candidates will also be required to complete a number of modules of training within the first year of being in office.
"By better preparing council members for their complex and important role, we will see more efficient and effective decisions being made,” State Local Government Minister David Templeman said.
"Local government is an important tier of government and makes a significant contribution to Western Australian communities.
The Bill includes provisions to simplifying and strengthening local government gifts provisions by removing any doubt about what gifts need to be reported, mandating online reporting, focusing on gifts that create conflicts of interest and extending requirements to Chief Executive Officers.
