Last night the Upper House reactivated the ability for NSW councils to hold secretive private briefing sessions, undoing measures the Minns Labor Government introduced to increase transparency and public confidence in local government.
The Government’s rewrite of the Model Meeting Code, which came into effect in January 2026, banned private briefings, required all councils to livestream and record council meetings, as well as provided clearer powers and processes for Mayors so meetings may be conducted in a dignified manner and in the full view of the public.
Members of the Liberals and Nationals banded together with the Greens and Mark Latham to disallow the regulation that enacts the Code – completely disregarding the principles of open decision-making and recommendations of the ICAC to prevent corruption in local government.
Every council will now be burdened with unnecessary confusion and uncertainty as the transparency and other measures contained in the new Code need to be wound back by each of New South Wales’ 128 councils.
The Liberal-Nationals, the Greens and Mark Latham unity ticket in the NSW Upper House has thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
While extensive consultation with stakeholders was undertaken in developing the new Code, the Government had agreed to consider a number of wording amendments to address any unintended consequences.
This was mainly in response to issues raised by rural and regional councils where the circumstances can be unique to a particular area.
Constructive meetings were held earlier this month with Local Government NSW and the Country Mayors Association where the Government agreed to a range proposals from the sector.
Last night’s actions go against recent representations made on behalf of the sector.
Not only are the political games being played by the Liberal-Nationals and Greens in the Upper House hampering the state government’s ability to legislate, but they are now also directly impacting on local government and all 128 councils.
The Government is now considering options in relation to these long overdue reforms which were introduced to improve the transparency and decency of council meetings and reduce corruption risks.
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