Local Government Harassment

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. C Bonaros:

1. That this council calls on the Attorney-General, within three months of the passing of this motion, to instigate an independent inquiry by the equal opportunity commissioner into the prevalence of harassment, including sexual harassment, in the local government sector in South Australia and to report to the parliament on the following matters:

    (a) The adequacy of existing laws, policies, structures, and complaint mechanisms relating to harassment, including sexual harassment;

    (b) Improvements that may be made to existing laws, policies, structures, and complaint mechanisms relating to harassment, including sexual harassment; and

    (c) any other relevant matters.

2. That the equal opportunity commissioner is appropriately resourced to undertake such an inquiry.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (20:29): 

I rise in full support of this motion and I thank the Hon. Connie Bonaros for moving this motion which calls for an independent inquiry into the prevalence of harassment, including sexual harassment, in South Australia's local government sector.

This motion builds on the precedent set by this Legislative Council in 2020, when we passed a motion that led to a comprehensive inquiry into harassment in the legal profession. That inquiry was a turning point. It uncovered systemic issues, gave voice to those who had long been silenced, and laid the foundation for reform.

The recommendations from that inquiry have been captured in the Statutes Amendment (Legal Profession Review Recommendations) Bill 2025. I believe that important reforms can be achieved when we listen, investigate and act. Now we must extend the same commitment to make an inquiry into local government.

In March, The Advertiser reported that several councillors, many female elected members, raised concerns about behavioural policies being misused to silence dissent and to intimidate. This is not just poor governance, it is a matter of workplace safety and democratic integrity. We only have to look to recent events in the City of Burnside to understand the urgency of this motion.

As reported by InDaily in February 2025, internal disputes within the council have escalated to what was described as ridiculous proportions. Council meetings have become entangled in personal grievances, procedural gamesmanship and a culture of hostility that undermines not only good governance but also public trust. It also derails the roles of wise decision-making for constituents at the local government level.

This is not an issue confined to smaller or regional councils. Even in the Adelaide City Council, the Lord Mayor recently issued a formal reminder to councillors about acceptable standards of behaviour. As reported in The Advertiser, this followed a series of tense and disruptive meetings that raised serious questions about professionalism and respect within the chamber. Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents. As the mover and other members have mentioned, they reflect a broader cultural problem across the sector.

At this point I want to acknowledge Bronwyn Lewis, the President of the Australian Local Government Women's Association South Australia for sending me a letter in support of this inquiry. I also note that in her remarks, she outlined that in March, ALGWA SA hosted a session for mayors and elected members, which clearly demonstrates the scale and seriousness of the issues being faced. These include a sharp rise in resignations and departure of capable, community-focused elected members due to the weaponisation of the compliance process and its impact on their mental health. The letter also mentioned that the associations invested significant effort into increasing female representation in local government, aiming for gender parity.

While progress has been made, this fragile momentum is at risk. The current climate also jeopardises efforts to engage candidates from diverse backgrounds, which would be a loss for democratic representation and community leadership across South Australia. I totally agree with those sentiments.

Local government is where many South Australians first engage with public life, yet we continue to hear reports of bullying, harassment, and unsafe workplace cultures. While mechanisms exist through the Ombudsman, the Office for Public Integrity and the Local Government Act, they are largely reactive. They address harm after it has occurred. What this motion proposes is a proactive, systematic approach, an independent inquiry led by the equal opportunity commissioner to assess the adequacy of our current laws and structures and to recommend improvements.

This is not about casting blame or pointing fingers: it is about creating safer, more respectful workplaces where people are able to contribute meaningfully. It is about ensuring that every council worker, every elected member and every community volunteer can participate in public life without the fear of harassment, intimidation or bullying. We have seen what is possible: the legal profession inquiry led to legislative reform. Let us apply the same model to local government. I will not be supporting the government's amendments.

I am wholeheartedly supporting this motion in its original form.