Approved: 30 June, 2025

Background

Latrobe City Council (Council) is committed to ensuring that Councillors, Council employees and contractors act with integrity and honesty when performing their duties or while attending functions as Council representatives.

The acceptance of gifts, benefits and hospitality can create perceptions that a Councillor, employee or contractor’s integrity has been compromised.

This policy states Council’s position on responding to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality. It is intended to support Councillors, employees and contractors to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain high levels of integrity and public trust.

Council is a public body subject to the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act). This Act is part of the legislative framework that provides for Victorian local councils to be accountable to their local communities in the performance of functions, exercise of power and use of resources.

Objectives

The purpose and objectives of this policy are to:

• to state the position of Council on responding to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality;
• intended to support individuals and Council avoid conflicts of interest; and
• to maintain high levels of integrity, transparency, accountability and public confidence inCouncil.

Scope

• This policy applies to all Councillors, Council employees and all contractors engaged byCouncil.
• All Councillors, Council employees and contractors of Council are accountable for compliance with this policy

Further information:

View the full policy;