Council split as election policy goes to public comment

A CLOSELY contested council vote has cleared the way for public consultation on a proposed policy governing how Borough of Queenscliffe councillors manage election campaigns while in office.

The draft policy was put forward by mayor Donnie Grigau at the council’s January meeting and was endorsed for public exhibition by a 3–2 vote, with deputy mayor Di Rule and councillor Isabelle Tolhurst voting again the motion.

The policy is intended to prescribe clear and consistent requirements for a councillor standing as a candidate in a state or federal election.

Its stated aims include maintaining the integrity of council decision-making, ensuring an appropriate separation between council duties and election campaigning, preventing the misuse of position or council resources, and protecting public confidence in council governance.

“At present, the council does not have a standalone policy that deals specifically with how councillors should manage their roles if they choose to stand for state or federal parliament,” Cr Grigau said.

“While elements of this are touched on in legislation and governance rules, there is no single clear framework that brings these expectations together in one place.

“The draft policy itself focuses on practical procedural matters such as notification of candidacy, leave of absence arrangements, the use of council resources and transparency during election appearances.”

Cr Tolhurst said she supported the importance of the issue but raised concerns about how the policy had been development and presented to the council.

“In my view, policy shouldn’t be written by individual councillors. It’s not good governance, and I don’t believe you get the best outcome for communities when this occurs,” she said.

“It’s been rushed and the opportunity to present a policy that’s been well researched, matches peak body recommendations, and is consistent with the Local Government Act 2020 has been missed.”

Cr Grigau, who stood as a Liberal candidate in the Bellarine electorate in the 2022 state election, said releasing the draft policy for public consultation would ensure it is “considered transparently and with community input before any final decision is made”.

“We have to get ahead of the ball with these issues,” he said.

“While this is primarily an internal governance matter, I believe inviting the community input is a sensible and cautious approach,” he said.

“It strengthens public confidence and ensures council is seen to be acting openly and responsibly.”

The draft policy will return before the council later this month.

To make a submission before public consultation ends on February 18, head to queenscliffe.vic.gov.au