Ethical business practices when working with Council

We are committed to always doing what is right. If you do business with Council, we expect you to uphold our standards of ethical conduct. This applies to all individuals and organisations conducting business with Council, including:

  • suppliers of goods and services
  • tender applicants
  • sub-contractors
  • consultants
  • grant recipients.

These standards help maintain respectful and transparent business relationships. They are guided by the:

  • Local Government Act 2009
  • Public Sector Ethics Act 1994
  • Code of Conduct.

Learn more about our ethical principles and values in our Code of Conduct.

What we expect from our suppliers and partners

Council asks all suppliers and partners to: 

  • operate in ways that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible
  • be inclusive of local, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • respect the ethical obligations expected of Councillors and Council employees 
  • avoid exerting pressure or influence that could improperly affect Council policies or decisions
  • not engage in collusive or unfair business practices 
  • disclose and manage any actual or potential conflicts of interest 
  • keep confidential any Council information that is not public or is privileged 
  • provide accurate, honest and complete information in all dealings 
  • report any suspected corruption to Council or the appropriate authority. 

Avoiding conflicts of interest

Fairness and integrity are very important to how Council makes decisions.

A conflict of interest happens when someone’s personal interests could affect their official role. Even the appearance of a conflict can be a problem.

This might include:

  • having a close friend or family member involved in a tender
  • owning a business that is bidding for Council work
  • working for a company that is applying for a contract
  • receiving gifts or favours from a supplier.

To avoid conflicts of interest, Councillors and employees must not accept:

  • gifts
  • travel
  • hospitality.

Even small offers can influence someone’s judgment or make it seem like they are not acting fairly. We ask anyone doing business with Council not to offer gifts or benefits of any kind. 

This extends to all procurement and contracting processes. Suppliers must not try to influence Council decisions by giving anything of value to staff or Councillors. 

By following these rules, we protect trust in our operations and make sure every decision is made fairly.

Consequences of breaching ethical standards

Council has zero tolerance for fraud and corruption. We expect everyone who works with us to act honestly. This helps us keep trust with our community.  

Failure to follow our standards may result in: 

  • termination of contracts 
  • exclusion from future procurement opportunities 
  • referral to regulatory authorities.

Report misconduct  

Council encourages everyone to report any behaviour that might harm its integrity. This includes suspected:  

  • fraud or corrupt conduct 
  • wrongdoing, including breaches of the code of conduct or unethical behaviour 
  • poor procurement practices such as bias, unfair processes, or non-compliance with procurement guidelines.  

To report misconduct, you can:

All reports are taken seriously and treated confidentially. Council will take appropriate action in line with its obligations. This is under the Public Disclosure Act 2010. 

Council protects whistleblowers who report misconduct in good faith. 

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