Today the Minister for Local Government David Templeman introduced mandatory training for election candidates and council members as part of a suite of local government reforms.

Additional reforms introduced include the requirement for a code of conduct, CEO recruitment and performance management standards, a new framework for the acceptance of gifts and improved reporting to the community.

Oliver Peterson raised the point with the Minister that there’s still no transparency when local Councillors are not made to declare affiliations with political parties and similar training is not required for his State Government counterparts.

Minister Templeman says,  “Local government is calling for this and I support their need.

“They make some important decisions that should be supported by an ongoing commitment to professional development and training.”

If the reforms pass Parliament, training will be in place in time for local government elections this October.

Download this podcast here