Councillor Code of Conduct Gifts and expenses

Find out what legislation and policies govern how our Councillors are supported.

Councillor Model Code of Conduct

The Councillor Model Code of Conduct outlines the expectations of behaviour and conduct for those elected to represent the community in the role of Councillor.

The Model Code of Conduct replaces the previous statutory requirement for each Council to develop its own Councillor Code of Conduct.

The Model Code of Conduct establishes clear standards for the behaviour and responsibilities of Councillors. Its purpose is to ensure that Councillors can effectively perform their duties and functions, supporting the Council in its overriding role to provide good governance for the benefit and wellbeing of the municipal community. By setting these expectations, Councillors are better equipped to perform their duties in a manner that reflects the values of integrity, transparency, respect and accountability.

Councillor Model Code of Conduct(PDF, 630KB)

This Code outlines the expectations of Councillors ensuring they are accountable for their actions and decisions and that they act with integrity, transparency and good governance.

Our Councillors have signed the Code and are strongly committed to working together constructively as a team. This Code is a public commitment and declaration that Councillors of Darebin City Council are committed to working together in the best interests of the people within the municipal community and to discharge their responsibilities to the best of their skill and judgement.

Gifts to Councillors

Section 138 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to adopt a Councillor Gift Policy. At its meeting held on 27 March 2023, Council adopted the Councillor Gift Policy 2023.

Councillor Gift Policy - March 2023(PDF, 400KB)

This policy states the Darebin City Council’s position on responding to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality; and providing gifts, benefits and hospitality. This policy is intended to support Councillors in the avoidance of conflicts of interest created through the receipt of gifts, benefits and hospitality and to deal with these matters in a manner that maintains high levels of integrity and public trust.

The gifts, benefits and hospitality register for Councillors is available here:

Councillor Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Register - Council Term 2020 - 2024 as at June 2024 (PDF, 63KB)

Councillors support and expenses

Allowances

 On 3 July 2024, Local Government Victoria advised that the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal had made an adjustment to the Allowance payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors (Victoria).

The Tribunal determined a 3.5% increase to the values of the base allowances payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors, effective from 1 July 2024.

A 3.5 per cent increase has also been applied to the base allowance values for Mayors and Deputy Mayors which will apply from:

• 18 December 2024
• 18 December 2025

The base allowances for Council members at the Darebin City Council (a Category 3 council) in future years as set in June 2024 are shown in the following table:

Expenses

Councillors are elected to provide leadership for the good governance of the municipal district and the local community. Section 40 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to adopt and maintain an expenses policy in relation to the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for Councillors and members of Delegated Committees.

In accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2020, the Darebin City Council adopted Councillor Support and Expense Policy at its meeting held on 20 July 2020.

Councillor Support and Expenses Policy 2021(PDF, 588KB)

The objective of this policy is to establish the resources, facilities and administrative support to be provided to Councillors of Darebin City Council. It provides for Councillors to have out-of-pocket expenses, incurred while performing their official duties as a Councillor, either reimbursed or paid direct by the Council. The policy also provides guidelines for Councillors on the process for claiming expenses and outlines the methods and standards for reporting and accountability.

Councillor expense reports and annual cumulative details of individual Councillors expenses will be published on our website.

• Councillor Expenses - 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024(PDF, 131KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023(PDF, 167KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022(PDF, 165KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021(PDF, 43KB)