Local Government Act 2009

A conflict of interest is a conflict between a councillor’s personal interests, or the personal interests of a related party of the councillor, and the public interest that might lead to a decision that is contrary to the public interest.

However, a councillor does not have a conflict of interest in a matter if—

the conflict of interest arises solely because—

the councillor undertakes an engagement in the capacity of councillor for a community group, sporting club or similar organisation, and is not appointed as an executive officer of the organisation; or

the councillor, or a related party of the councillor, is a member or patron of a community group, sporting club or similar organisation, and is not appointed as an executive officer of the organisation; or

the councillor, or a related party of the councillor, is a member of a political party; or

the councillor, or a related party of the councillor, has an interest in an educational facility or provider of a child care service as a student or former student, or a parent or grandparent of a student, of the facility or service; or

the conflict of interest arises solely because of the religious beliefs of the councillor or a related party of the councillor; or

the conflict of interest arises solely because the councillor, or a related party of the councillor, receives a gift, loan or sponsored travel or accommodation benefit from an entity during a financial year, if the total gifts, loans and benefits given by the entity to the councillor or related party total less than $500 in the financial year; or

the conflict of interest relates to the appointment, discipline, termination, remuneration or other employment conditions of a councillor advisor for the councillor, if the conflict of interest arises solely because the councillor advisor is a related party, other than an associate, of the councillor; or

the conflict of interest arises solely because—

the councillor is, or has been, a member of a group of candidates for an election or a previous election with another councillor; or

the same political party endorsed the candidature of the councillor and another councillor for an election or a previous election; or

the councillor has been elected or appointed at the same time, or has held office during the same period, as another councillor.

Also, a councillor has a conflict of interest in a matter in relation to a related party only if the councillor knows, or ought reasonably to know, about the related party’s involvement in the matter.

In this section—

another entity contributes, whether financially or non-financially, to the cost of the travel or accommodation; and

the other entity is not the person’s spouse, other family member or friend.