Local Government (Elections) (Disclosure and Prescribed Elector) Amendment Regulations 2026

The regulations introduce a new requirement for council election candidates to disclose if they have received public ‘adverse findings’ from an integrity agency in relation to their role as a council member.

Candidates must disclose relevant adverse findings, orders or recommendations made after 17 November 2022 by:

• the Behavioural Standards Panel
• the Ombudsman
• the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)
• the District Court or Supreme Court, including findings related to matters under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012.

LGA advocated for these disclosure requirements, recognising that South Australian voters should have access to relevant information about a candidate’s conduct and history when making decisions about who they elect to represent their community.

The new requirements strengthen transparency and accountability and support more informed decision-making by voters.

The regulations also introduce new consequences where serious behavioural misconduct by elected members has been proven. This will be of particular interest to councils and the broader local government sector, with the changes strengthening the consequences for established poor behaviour by elected members.

The regulations also expand access to assisted (telephone) voting for electors with a motor impairment. This builds on the existing telephone voting arrangements available to electors who are sight impaired.

Together, the amendments strengthen transparency, accountability and confidence in the local government election process.