The gift registers contain disclosures of gifts that have been made by elected members, the CEO and employees in their official capacity.
Elected members and the CEO are required to disclose gifts which are valued over $300 or are two or more gifts with a cumulative value over $300 (where the gifts are received from the same donor in a 12 month period) within 10 days of receipt [Sections 5.87A & 5.87B Local Government Act 1995].
An employee is required to disclose a gift worth more than $50 and less than $300 (or two or more gifts with a cumulative value of more than $50 and less than $300 where the gifts are received from the same donor in a 12 month period), received from an associated person within 10 days of receipt. The acceptance of a gift worth $300 or more from an associated person is prohibited [R.19AF Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996].
The Act and Regulations require the CEO to publish an up to date version of the Gifts Registers on the Shire’s website after a disclosure is made. To protect the privacy of individuals, the registers published on this website does not include the address disclosed by an individual donor.
Electoral Gift Register
Both candidates and donors must disclose information about any election related gift with a value of $300 or more that was given or promised within the 6-month period prior to the relevant election day. The reporting period for the 2023 elections commenced on 21 April 2023.
A ‘gift’ includes:
- money
- non-monetary item of value
- in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration, such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or the discount is worth more than $300)
- a financial or other contribution to travel
- the provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration
- a firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.
A ‘gift’ does not include a gift by will, a relative, or item that does not relate to the candidate’s candidature, or the provision of volunteer labour.
The disclosure of a gift is to be made to the CEO of the local government. Information to be supplied includes the name of the candidate, the name and address of the donor, the date the gift was received (or promised), the value of the gift and a description of the gift.
In addition, any gifts from unidentified donors must be disclosed and provided to the CEO of the relevant local government for disposal.
Within 3 days of nomination, a candidate will need to disclose any gifts received in the relevant period prior to nomination and disclose any further gifts received thereafter. Details about each gift are to be submitted within 3 days of receiving the gift once a nomination has been made. Donors will also need to disclose any gifts made within the relevant period. Candidates should advise donors of their reporting responsibilities.
The disclosure period finishes 3 days after election day for unsuccessful candidates and on the start day for financial interest returns for successful candidates.