Rule for public sector workers contesting local elections strengthened

Queensland public sector employees who are elected to councils in next month’s local government elections may need to resign from their public sector jobs.

State Cabinet yesterday moved to strengthen the government’s current position on the issue of full time public sector employees holding a full time elected local government position.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said it was important to remove grounds for conflict of interest for public servants who were elected as mayors or councillors in Queensland’s larger councils.

“Some public servants who are elected to larger local councils may wish to continue with their jobs in the public sector,” Mr Pitt said.

“However, this raises questions relating to a conflict of interest, their capacity to perform their jobs, and public concerns about public sector employees receiving two publicly-funded salaries.

“We are entering a new era of local government in Queensland. The reforms that have been introduced mean that generally we have fewer, bigger councils, while there also continues to be a number of smaller councils.

“Currently, it is an expectation that a full time public sector employee who took on a full time elected local government position would resign. What we have done is to make that a requirement.

“Cabinet has approved an approach for applying the requirement in practice, basing it on the remuneration categories applying for each council.

“Public sector employees can no longer hold full time public sector employment if they are elected as mayor of a category three or higher council or as a councillor of a category five or higher council.”

The categories are taken from the remuneration levels issued by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal, and encompass mayors on a salary of $69,610 or more and councillors on $60,120 or more.

It means the requirement will apply to a public servant elected as a councillor on 16 of Queensland’s 72 councils, or as a mayor of one of 34 councils.

“This decision brings Queensland’s local governments into line with both State and Federal jurisdictions.”

Mr Pitt said there would be provision for public sector employees elected as councillors to continue part-time or casual work with Queensland Government agencies, with the specific approval of their Director-General.

A Director-General would need to be satisfied that the position lent itself to part time employment, the officer concerned could fulfill the position’s requirements diligently, and conflict of interest issues were unlikely to arise.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819