Overseeing the Members' Interests Act
The Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968 is a small but significant part of the legal framework for local democracy.
Our role in administering the Act includes:
- deciding applications for exemptions from, or declarations about, the discussing and voting rule in the Act;
- deciding applications for the approval of contracts worth more than $25,000 in a financial year;
- providing guidance to elected council members and officers, to help them comply with the Act in particular situations; and
- investigating and prosecuting alleged offences against the Act.
The Auditor-General regularly publishes guidance for council members about how to comply with the Act (see our reports on conflicts of interest).
Page last updated: 31 January 2022