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Councils have Code of Conduct

COUNCILS HAVE CODES OF CONDUCT

“Most Municipal Councils in the Northern Territory have adopted a model code of conduct produced by LGANT over five years ago” Mayor Fran Kilgariff, President of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory said today. Mayor Kilgariff was refuting comments attributed to NT Ombudsman Peter Boyce today that Alice Springs Council was the only municipality that had a code of conduct for elected members and staff.

Mayor Kilgariff said, “Elected members and staff are very aware of the conflict of interest provisions in the Local Government Act and that it was up to individual councillors and staff to exercise their own judgement on such matters. This is reinforced in elected member and staff training offered by LGANT and the councils themselves. Codes of conduct are support mechanisms for conflict of interest.”

“I am particularly surprised at the Ombudsman’s comments considering his recent dealings with Local Government. LGANT even uses a video on conflict of interest, that the Ombudsman recommended as part of its training”, said Mayor Kilgariff.

Mayor Kilgariff said “The Ombudsman cleared the former Alderman under investigation for a conflict of interest. This shows that councils are doing the right thing under a code of conduct”.

Ends

3 December 2004

Contact: LGANT President Mayor Fran Kilgariff0419 376 060

Manager Communications Phil Maynard 8936 2890 0429 090 83