Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Paul HAMER (Box Hill – Minister for Local Government, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Corrections) (09:36): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Local Government Act 2020 to enhance the integrity and governance standards of councils, to enable the prescription of a Fair Jobs Code and to make provision for the appointment of a local government Fair Jobs Code regulator and to amend the City of Melbourne Act 2001 to increase the permitted ratio between the lowest and highest differential rates if the Melbourne City Council uses the net annual value system of valuation and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:36): I seek a brief explanation of the bill.

 Paul HAMER (Box Hill – Minister for Local Government, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Corrections) (09:36): This bill will implement recommendations from the Sandon report and the Whittlesea commission of inquiry to enhance council governance and processes. It provides a regulatory framework to implement a local government fair jobs code and amends the City of Melbourne Act 2001 to enable the Melbourne City Council to levy differential rates, bringing it into line with most councils in Victoria.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.