Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Queensland's local government laws to reduce red tape for councils, strengthen the role of mayors, overhaul the conflicts of interest and councillor conduct frameworks, and clarify rules around councillor pay, leave and eligibility. It also formalises rating exemptions for Indigenous councils and makes it easier for disaster-affected councils to act during election caretaker periods.
Who it affects
Queensland's 77 local councils and their councillors, mayors, CEOs and staff are most directly affected. Residents of Indigenous and remote communities, local government election candidates, and communities recovering from natural disasters will also see practical changes.
Key changes
- Conflicts of interest framework replaced with simpler pre-2018 system — councillors with a material personal interest must leave the room, with a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment for serious breaches
- Lower-level 'conduct breaches' removed from the councillor conduct system, but bullying, sexual harassment and defying a chairperson's order to leave are now classified as misconduct
- Senior executive employees now appointed by a panel of the mayor, CEO and deputy mayor or committee chair, instead of the CEO alone
- Mayor formally confirmed as official spokesperson and default chairperson of council meetings
- Minister can issue blanket approval for councils to make disaster recovery decisions during election caretaker periods, based on experience with ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper
- 16 Indigenous and remote councils formally exempted from levying rates, with a pathway to begin rating in the future
- Sitting councillors exempted from repeating mandatory candidate training when standing for re-election
- Councillors automatically removed from office upon nominating for the State Parliament, replacing the previous compulsory leave without pay arrangement
- Election candidates can use a post office box instead of a home address on election material for safety and privacy
- Rural and remote councils get more flexible access to State-owned quarry materials for road maintenance and disaster recovery
Bill Journey
▸Committee20 Nov 2025View Hansard
Referred to Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee
6 members · Chair: James Lister
The Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed. The committee's review focused on proposals to give mayors and councillors greater involvement in appointing senior council staff through appointment panels, changes to councillor conduct frameworks, and amendments to the City of Brisbane Act. The department confirmed that while councils would be responsible for senior executive appointments, CEOs would retain responsibility for management and discipline of those employees.
Key findings (4)
- The bill proposes senior executive employees be appointed by a panel comprising the mayor, CEO, and either the relevant committee chairperson or deputy mayor
- The CEO will remain responsible for management, direction, and discipline of senior executive employees, including dismissal
- The City of Brisbane Act already provides for council-level appointment of executive employees, and the bill aligns the Local Government Act with this approach
- If the deputy mayor or committee chairperson is unable to participate in the appointment panel, the local government must appoint another councillor as a replacement
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Committee report tabled