One of the statutory functions of the Commission is the responsibility to render advice and assistance to the community concerning the detection and prevention of official misconduct.
The Commission is mindful of the significance of this role and hopes that by educating the various local authorities as to appropriate work practices and ethics, the incidence of official misconduct and corruption in local government in this State can be significantly reduced. In drawing attention to a range of matters in which standards have fallen far short of those required of public officials, the Report is intended to alert all those persons with an interest in or responsibility for local authority matters, including Council officers and auditors, to actual and potential problem areas and present a positive contribution to the process of ensuring greater accountability by local authorities.
The large number of community complaints about the operation of local authorities led the CJC to investigate 370 allegations of conduct such as lack of accountability, favouritism and bias. It identified areas of concern in need of immediate redress.
This report was tabled in Parliament on 18 July 1991.
