It is the role of the department's Local Government Remuneration and Discipline branch to receive, assess and manage determinations about allegations of misconduct by local government councillors. Two independent bodies are responsible for hearing and deciding disciplinary order or recommendation considered appropriate in view of the circumstances relating to an allegation of misconduct. The Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal determine more serious complaints of misconduct by councillors, whilst less serious matters are determined by a Regional Conduct Review Panel.

Types of complaints

The Local Government Act 2009 includes processes for dealing with allegations regarding councillor conduct that is not in accordance with the principles set out in the Act. The Act has provisions to ensure that appropriate standards of councillor conduct and performance are maintained and that a councillor who engages in misconduct or inappropriate conduct is disciplined. Complaints will be assessed by the department's Remuneration and Discipline branch and are processed accordingly following the CEO of a local government assessing the type of misconduct.

Making a complaint

You can make a complaint about possible councillor misconduct by contacting the relevant local government or writing directly to the Director General of the department.

Complaints process

Find out more about how the complaints process works and what to expect if you make a complaint. When a complaint is received it is assessed and referred in accordance with the Act.

Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal

Find out about the background and purpose of the tribunal.

Regional Conduct Review Panels

Regional Conduct Review Panels will hear and decide less serious complaints of misconduct against local government councillors.