❓ Mrs Warr questions the Minister for Local Government regarding the establishment, funding, role, and complaint process for the new Local Government Inspector office, following the Local Government Amendment Act 2024. The Minister provides detailed information about the office's establishment, functions, and relationship with the now-abolished Local Government Standards Panel.
AnsweredQoN 469Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2025-26 State Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 2, page 517, and the “Local Government Inspector” line item, and I ask: (a) An additional $10.5m has been invested to create this office, what is the total amount; (b) How long has the office been in the process of establishment; (c) What is the timeline for the office to be established; (d) What will be the role of the Inspector; (e) Who can make a complaint to the office of the Inspector; (f) How can someone make a complaint to the office of the Inspector; (g) Will Local Government Standards Panel still be operating after the office of the Inspector is operating; and (h) Does the Minister have power to direct the Inspector?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2025
Responded by
Minister for Local Government
Response time
7 days
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety advise:
a) $16.5 million.
b) Since receiving Royal Assent to the Local Government Amendment Act 2024 on 6 December 2024.
c) Official commencement expected on 1 January 2026.
d) The Inspector will support early and decisive intervention to prevent and address dysfunction within local governments. The position will operate independently and may delegate certain regulatory powers to authorised officers within the Local?Government Inspectorate. The Inspector’s functions include:
o Monitoring the conduct, operations and affairs of local governments.
o Receiving, assessing and investigating complaints.
o Conducting investigations and inquiries.
o Delivering education and information to support improved sector performance and compliance, including appointing monitors, analysing data, consulting with, and making recommendations to local governments.
e) Any person may make a breach complaint if they have reason to believe that a council member, at the time the complaint is made, has committed a behavioural breach, a conduct breach or a specified breach. They may also make a general complaint if they have a reason to believe that a relevant person or local government has contravened, or is contravening, a provision of the Local Government Act 1995 or associated regulations.
f) A complaint must be made in the manner and form approved by the Local Government Inspector. The complaint must give details of the following:
o the complainant;
o the council member (breach complaint) or person (general complaint) who is the subject of the complaint;
o the alleged breach (breach complaint) or contravention (general complaint); and
o any other information required by the regulations.
g) The Local Government Amendment Act 2024 abolishes the Local Government Standards Panel. Transitional provisions will apply that allow the Standards Panel to continue operating to deal with any complaints allocated to them and lodged before 31 December 2025.
h) The Minister may give written directions as to the general policy to be followed in the performance of the Inspector’s functions and to conduct an inquiry.
a) $16.5 million.
b) Since receiving Royal Assent to the Local Government Amendment Act 2024 on 6 December 2024.
c) Official commencement expected on 1 January 2026.
d) The Inspector will support early and decisive intervention to prevent and address dysfunction within local governments. The position will operate independently and may delegate certain regulatory powers to authorised officers within the Local?Government Inspectorate. The Inspector’s functions include:
o Monitoring the conduct, operations and affairs of local governments.
o Receiving, assessing and investigating complaints.
o Conducting investigations and inquiries.
o Delivering education and information to support improved sector performance and compliance, including appointing monitors, analysing data, consulting with, and making recommendations to local governments.
e) Any person may make a breach complaint if they have reason to believe that a council member, at the time the complaint is made, has committed a behavioural breach, a conduct breach or a specified breach. They may also make a general complaint if they have a reason to believe that a relevant person or local government has contravened, or is contravening, a provision of the Local Government Act 1995 or associated regulations.
f) A complaint must be made in the manner and form approved by the Local Government Inspector. The complaint must give details of the following:
o the complainant;
o the council member (breach complaint) or person (general complaint) who is the subject of the complaint;
o the alleged breach (breach complaint) or contravention (general complaint); and
o any other information required by the regulations.
g) The Local Government Amendment Act 2024 abolishes the Local Government Standards Panel. Transitional provisions will apply that allow the Standards Panel to continue operating to deal with any complaints allocated to them and lodged before 31 December 2025.
h) The Minister may give written directions as to the general policy to be followed in the performance of the Inspector’s functions and to conduct an inquiry.
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