Jurisdiction
Since its creation, the tribunal has had exclusive jurisdiction to inquire into referred complaints about the failure to disclose pecuniary interests by mayors and local government councillors. A pecuniary interest is an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person in exercising their duties or functions in local government. Generally, a complaint is made first to the Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Local Government. The director-general may then refer the complaint to the tribunal for hearing.
From 1 January 2005, the tribunal received the additional jurisdiction to decide allegations of misconduct referred by the director-general. The director-general may investigate the allegations, and either deal with the matter him or herself, or may refer the matter to the tribunal.
The director-general in some cases may suspend a person. When this occurs, the person may appeal to the tribunal under section 440M. When the tribunal decides this appeal, there is no further appeal allowed.
Read more about this topic: Local Government Pecuniary Interest Tribunal Of New South Wales
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