We reviewed our Election Period Policy ahead of the 2024 Council election and proposed the following updates:

• The Policy name has been changed to just the ‘Election Period Policy’, to align with the wording of section 69 of the Act.
• The inclusion of a table of Definitions (section 4).
• Clarity regarding the publication of material during the Election Period (sections 8 and 9).
• In addition to the suspension of Public Question Time, the suspension of verbal submissions at Future Melbourne Committee meetings, to ensure consistency with respect to verbal public participation (section 8.5).
• The removal of the ‘Approval of Council Publications by the CEO’ certification requirements (this is not a requirement of the Local Government Act 2020).
• Additional guidance regarding community engagement (section 10).
• Additional guidance regarding the hosting of and attendance at, events and functions (section 11).
• Additional guidance regarding the use of Council resources (section 12).
• The introduction of an Information Register (section 13).
• The introduction of expectations for staff and members of delegated committees or advisory committees (who are not councillors), who nominate as a candidate in the Melbourne City Council General Election (sections 16 and 17).
• Clearer process for how breaches of the Policy will be dealt with (section 19).
• The inclusion of a review timeframe for the next general election (section 20).

The Act requires a process of community engagement is followed by Council, in developing or amending its Governance Rules.

From 26 June to 10 July 2024 we asked for your thoughts on the changes to the Election Period Policy, before the Policy is presented to Council for consideration and adoption in the coming months.

The Governance Rules in their entity are not subject to consultation on this occasion. Consultation is restricted to the draft Election Period Policy only.