Greens successfully undo failed council meeting rules
The NSW Legislative Council today voted in support of disallowing the model code of meeting practice for local councils in NSW.
The code, introduced in August 2025, received a backlash from councillors and communities who say it restricts access and excludes participants from council meetings.
Greens spokesperson for Local Government, Dr Amanda Cohn, led the disallowance motion which was supported by the Opposition and a majority of cross-bench members across the political spectrum.
“Councillors highlighted a range of serious issues with the code, including unreasonable barring of attendance at meetings via audiovisual link in circumstances such as natural disasters or due to caring responsibilities,” Dr Cohn said. “At least three councillors have had to resign from their elected position as a result.”
“A Penrith councillor with a disability who is the sole carer for her child said this rule meant people like her would no longer be represented. It’s a tragedy for our communities to exclude voices altogether when people reasonably can’t attend in person.”
Greens spokesperson for Democracy Kobi Shetty said: “For a thriving democracy we need to encourage more diversity in local government, not less. Unfortunately, we know that this code has made it much harder for women, people with caring responsibilities, and those with disabilities to actively participate in the decision-making process.
“Of course we support enhanced transparency in local government, but it must not come at the expense of diverse representation and participation. The Minister needs to go back to the drawing board to strike a better balance.”
Dr Cohn said The Greens gave notice of and debated this disallowance in November 2025 and met with the Minister for Local Government in February.
“We were reassured that the code would be reviewed, and the problems fixed,” Dr Cohn said. “The best way forward would have been for these important issues to be addressed promptly, to minimise uncertainty for councils.”
“Six months is more than enough time to have consulted on and implemented an amendment to the code. We have tried to work with the Government and in good faith but we’ve been met with hollow commitments.”
Councils have welcomed the disallowance, expressing frustration at the NSW Government’s lack of consultation and action.
Mayor of Byron Shire Sarah Ndiaye said the failed meeting code of practice is not a ‘Liberal, Labour, Independent or Greens issue’.
“While the reforms may have been well intentioned, they have caused chaos for the local government sector and make it incredibly difficult for people to do their already difficult jobs,” Ms Ndiaye said. “It’s about Councils across the state being able to do their job.”
Mayor of Tweed Shire Council Chris Cherry said councils across NSW have been campaigning to make the code less discriminatory, by allowing councillors to attend meetings remotely.
“As Chair of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation, I have been advocating directly to the Minister to amend the code to allow participation in this way and in doing so, acknowledge that the role of a councillor is usually only paid as a part-time job and most councillors are juggling many other commitments with work and family at the same time,” Ms Cherry said.
“We have been waiting for a long time to try to get changes made to make the Local Government Code of Meeting Practice more workable. I hope that if we can go back to the drawing board, we can get much better consultation from the Minister the next time around.”
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Background
Councils had to adopt the mandatory provisions by 31 December 2025: 2025 Model Meeting Code – Frequently asked questions
The disallowance also undoes limitations on public forums and unintended consequences of the attempted ban on private briefings.
Transcript of the debate: 5 November 2025 Part 1 and Part 2
26 May 2026 Resumed debate and vote
Media Contact: Kate Dorrell | 0404 691 828 | [email protected]