The New South Wales State Government has released a public discussion paper on whether NSW Members of Parliament should be serving concurrently as local councillors or mayors.

 

The paper canvasses issues surrounding whether it is a conflict of interests, whether it is appropriate for one person to serve in two political roles, and the fact that dual roles are already not permitted in other States.

 

Currently, in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, State and Federal Members of Parliament are not permitted to serve concurrently as councillors or mayors.

 

“There has been some discussion in the community about whether it is appropriate for Members of Parliament to serve concurrently as councillors or mayors. The Premier Barry O’Farrell asked me to examine dual roles and, as Minister, I feel the time has come for a constructive debate on the issue,” New South Wales Minister for Local Government Don Page said at the paper’s release.

 

Mr Page said arguments supporting councillors being MPs include that it is `democracy in action’, it ensures the best person for the job, it increases local advocacy, it is efficient, and that it is common for MPs to have other roles.

 

Arguments against councillors being MPs include that it is a conflict of interests, it is not easy for residents to know to whom to complain (especially if the complaint is to an MP about the council), it is not practical for one person to effectively perform both roles (and give equal time), it is not equitable because councillors who are not MPs can’t raise issues directly in Parliament or with Ministers, and it creates perceptions about inappropriate use of one position for the purposes of another.

 

“It should be noted that our Local Government Amendment (Elections) Act 2011 allows for councillor vacancies to be left unfilled within 18 months of a council election, which means that councils are saved from the cost of a by-election if a new Member of Parliament resigns from their council after being elected to State Parliament,” Mr Page said.

 

The Discussion Paper is online at the Division of Local Government website, at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au. Public submissions are welcome and will be taken until January 31.