Consultation Outcome
This consultation is now closed.
Election Period Policy Review
Thirteen submissions were received during the consultation period.
Responses from public submissions focused predominantly on the proposed suspension of Notices of Motion, Public Question Time, Inwards Correspondence and Petitions and Joint Letters.
Public submissions were taken into consideration, resulting in several amendments to the revised policy. The revised policy was not endorsed by Council, resulting in the current Election Period Policy remaining in place for the 2024 General Election.
The current policy can be found at Governance Rules | Greater Dandenong Council
Have Your Say
The Council resolution of 8 July 2024 proposed amendments to the Governance Rules in relation to Chapter 6 Election Period Policy.
The revised Election Period Policy was adopted by Council on 8 July 2024 for community consultation between 9 July 2024 and 5 August 2024.
Changes to the Governance Rules are proposed with respect to Chapter 6, Election Period Policy only.
To assist the proposed changes are listed below, and the full Governance Rules are available in the document library.
1. The modification (suspension) of certain procedures at Council meetings during the election period, to mitigate the risk of (a) Council publishing electoral matter and (b) intended or unintended electioneering by Councillors, candidates or others.
2. The procedures recommended for suspension include Notices of Motion, Public Question Time, Delegate/Councillor Reports, Correspondence, Petitions/Joint Letter and Councillor Question Time.
The policy has been rewritten with the following key changes:
a) Other decisions that will be avoided during the Election Period (in addition to those prohibited under the Act).
b) Considerations for officers making delegated decisions.
c) Suspension of the following protocols at Council meetings during the Election Period:
• Audio and livestream recordings on Council’s website (no statutory requirement to make available and will be uploaded at the conclusion of the Election Period). Note: meetings will continue to be livestreamed in ‘real-time’.
• Notices of Motion by Councillors. Note: Motions can still be submitted under Urgent Business provided that the adhere to Council’s Governance Rules.
• Public Question Time
• Questions by Councillors
• Correspondence
• Reports by Councillor Delegates
• Tabling of Petitions and Joint Letters
d) Addition of protocols for Council Advisory, Reference Committees and Working Groups, Councillor representation on external committees and Councillor Briefing sessions.
e) Process for review and approval of Council publications included.
f) Clarity around the information that will be provided on Council’s website.
g) Reference to Protocols having been developed for managing Council’s corporate social media and online channels included.
h) Additional information around public events staged by external bodies, speeches and keynote addresses and publication of promotional material.
i) More detail provided around use of Council resources.
j) Information included about election process related enquiries.
k) More detail added regarding misuse of position and breaches.
l) Addition of provision allowing administrative updates without the need for Council resolution.
m) Addition of related legislation and documentation.
