Queensland Probes Councillor Conduct Framework

• The Crisafulli Government has launched a Parliamentary Inquiry into the councillor conduct framework.
• The Inquiry will report on the operation and effectiveness of the councillor conduct framework, including the role and functions of the Office of the Independent Assessor and Councillor Conduct Tribunal.
• The Inquiry will deliver on key government election commitments to ensure the councillor conduct framework is fair and effective.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Crisafulli Government has delivered on a key election commitment, today announcing the commencement of a Parliamentary Inquiry into the State's councillor conduct framework.

The Inquiry, to be led by the Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee, will examine the operation and effectiveness of the Office of the Independent Assessor and Councillor Conduct Tribunal and consider if any changes are necessary to the Local Government Act 2009.

Under Labor's decade of decline, the Office of the Independent Assessor was excessive and demoralised councillors – wasting millions of dollars in ratepayers' money on legal fees.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and turning this around, re-empowering the local government sector by delivering this Parliamentary Inquiry, after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Inquiry will focus on five key areas:

• The effectiveness and efficiency of the Office of the Independent Assessor in dealing with complaints about councillor conduct.
• The effectiveness and efficiency of the Councillor Conduct Tribunal in determining complaints.
• Alternative structural models for the Office of the Independent Assessor to enhance consistency across government and provide tailored integrity support for councillors.
• Rights of review for Councillor Conduct Tribunal decisions.
• Any necessary changes to the Local Government Act 2009 or the functions of the Office of the Independent Assessor or Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

The Committee will be tasked with delivering their report to government by 6 November 2026.

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Inquiry reflected the Crisafulli Government's commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability in local government.

"We promised to review the councillor conduct framework to ensure it's meeting the needs of the local government sector and the communities they serve," Minister Leahy said.

"We want to ensure that the processes in place are efficient, effective, and provide the right balance between accountability and fairness.