Conduct of candidates, council members and committee members

Each local government was required to adopt a code of conduct, in line with the Model Code of Conduct Regulations by 3 May 2021. The codes of conduct apply to all candidates in a local government election, as well as council members and committee members.

Codes of conduct aim to guide decisions, actions and behaviours that reflect community expectations of conduct and to support consistency between local governments.

If you decide to nominate as a candidate, and are elected, the council may be required to consider any complaints received regarding your conduct while a candidate and to make a finding on whether your conduct constituted a breach of the code of conduct.

Codes of conduct require individuals to:

• deal with the media in a positive and appropriate manner
• not use offensive or derogatory language when referring to another person
• not disparage the character of another council member, committee member or candidate.

You are encouraged to read and apply the principles, behaviours and rules of conduct in your local government's code of conduct, particularly those that apply to candidates.