Gift Register
The Local Government Act 1995 sets out requirements for Council Members, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and local government employees to ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making. The Shire maintains gift registers to record the disclosure of gifts received in an official capacity.
Statutory Gift Register (Council Members and CEO)
The Shire's Elected Members and CEO are obliged by sections 5.87A, 5.87B and 5.89A of the Local Government Act 1995 to formally disclose gifts that are worth over $300 which they receive in their official capacity and prescribes the manner of disclosure.
Council Members and the CEO often voluntarily disclose the acceptance or refusal of gifts above and beyond statutory gift disclosure requirements, such as the acceptance of one-off gifts that are worth $300 or less. In line with the Shire's commitment to transparency, these gifts are included in the statutory gift register.
Details of gifts received are removed from the statutory gift register in accordance with section 5.89A of the Local Government Act 1995.
Gift Register (Employees)
The Shire's Code of Conduct provides that under regulation 19AF of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996, the CEO has determined that the threshold amount for employees to accept gifts is $300.
In the interest of transparency, the Shire maintains a register of gifts received by employees. Where gifts above the threshold amount are received, details are published on the Shire's website
Details of gifts received by Officers no longer employed at the Shire are removed from the notifiable gift register.
Electoral Gift Register
All candidates are subject to the electoral gift requirements of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997, including candidates who are current Council members.
Electoral gifts do not include the provision of volunteer labour, gifts by will, or gifts by a relative (as defined by section 5.74(1) of the Act).
Details of gifts received by unsuccessful candidates are removed from the electoral gift register in accordance with regulation 30G(3) of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997.