Regarding recent media commentary about periods of absence for local government councillors, Redland City Council would like to clarify that councillors are not employees of Redland City Council but are elected representatives of the community under the Queensland Local Government Act 2009.
As such, Councillor absences are not managed under an industrial award but in accordance with the provisions of the Queensland Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) and is different to the leave arrangements applicable to local government employees, who are entitled to a certain number of days per year.
Council does not determine the leave of absence arrangements for elected representatives in the Act. The Queensland Government and the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers are responsible for defining the relevant provisions.
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Under the Act, a Councillor position becomes vacant if a Councillor has not been granted a leave of absence and is absent from two consecutive ordinary meetings of Council over a period of at least two months.
To be absent, a Councillor must seek a leave of absence from Council via a Meeting of Council, with each decision being made on a case-by-case basis.
Councillors’ remuneration is set by the Local Government Remuneration Commission in accordance with the Act and is paid during the Councillors’ appointed term.
Because a Mayor has additional responsibilities to other Councillors, the Act allows a Deputy Mayor to act in a Mayor’s role while the elected Mayor is on leave, ensuring these additional responsibilities are performed, and that continuity of service and decision-making for the community continues during this period.
