New Misconduct Definitions and Tribunal Powers for Local Councillors
Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2026
House of Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
council governance councillor conduct government ethics local government public office voting procedures
Introduced by: The Hon Guy Barnett MP (LIB)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Guy Barnett LIB
“Deputy Speaker, I move - That the bill be now read the second time. Tasmanians need and deserve a local government sector that is democratically robust, underpinned by professionalism and integrity and entrusted by the communities they serve. Contemporary local government is no longer a matter of basic municipal maintenance of roads, rates and rubbish.”
Anita Dow ALP
“Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to rise this afternoon to speak on the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2026. It has been 33 years since the introduction in Tasmania of the Local Government Act 1993.”
Cecily Rosol GRN
“Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak for the Greens on the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2026. This bill makes a wide range of reforms to the Local Government Act 1993 and to other related legislation, and it’s arguably the first substantial reform to come out of an almost decadelong review of local government legislation.”
Helen Burnet IND
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to speak to the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill. Local government is a gnarly, difficult area to reform.”
Mark Shelton LIB
“Honourable Speaker, I rise this afternoon to make a short contribution to the bill, although I won’t be talking directly about the bill in any great detail. I’ve risen as a former mayor and councillor within Meander Valley Council, of course. I know that there are number of members here of this House that have got local government experience.”
George Razay IND
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to speak for the Local Government Amendment Bill 2026, which is a significant local government reforms after extensive consultations to improve the number of councillors, allowances, code of conduct and also improve the internal auditing and to address transparency and sustainability. I was previously a councillor before I came here.”
Tania Rattray IND
“Thank you, Mr President. I would like to take the opportunity to conclude my contribution following the briefing that we had finalised late last week.”
Casey Hiscutt IND
“Mr President, thanks for the contributions from the honourable member for McIntyre. Today we are discussing an issue quite close to home for me. I myself, like some amongst us, came from a local government background and to me that history has felt particularly strong.”
Ruth Forrest IND
“Thanks, Mr President. So people don’t get too stressed, I’m going to speak for a little bit, then adjourn the debate, as requested by the Leader. I know members have lots on as well. I rise to speak on some muchneeded reform to the Local Government Act 1993. I acknowledge there will be further debate on the matter, particularly around councillor numbers.”
Cassy O'Connor GRN
“Mr President, the Greens will support the bill being taken through to the Committee stage, obviously. There’s actually quite a bit to commend from the targeted reform bill, but there are a number of matters that are of serious concern to the Greens, and more importantly to the communities we represent.”
Rebecca Thomas IND
“Mr President, I rise in support of the Local Government Amendment (Targeted Reform) Bill 2026.”
“Thank you, Madam Deputy President. As a former councillor and deputy mayor of Launceston, I feel I have a good understanding of council, like other members in this place. More recent members of council are probably a little bit more up to date than I am with the workings.”