Minister for Local Government, Natalie Hutchins has given six City of Melbourne Councillors an exemption to vote on its Melbourne Open Space Strategy.
Ms Hutchins was asked to intervene by the City of Melbourne, after six councillors were unable to vote on the plan due to a conflict of interest over campaign donations.
Ms Hutchins said she took the decision to grant the exemption in order to allow the Council to move forward on its plans to introduce an open space plan.
As part of the exemption, Ms Hutchins will require the six councillors to make a full disclosure of their conflict of interest before the matter is discussed at any Council meeting.
Ms Hutchins said that had she not intervened, the Amendment could not have been made.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government, Natalie Hutchins
“Had an exemption not been granted, the Council would have been at a stalemate and the Amendment could not have progressed.”
"As part of its review of the Local Government Act, the Andrews Labor Government will consider better ways to deal with conflicts of interest.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020