Local Government NEEDS far greater attention that politicians are willing to give as IF the rules are tougher then people will rightly demand similar for MPs.

Years ago I served as a local government Councillor and I saw at first hand a so called "independent" verbally abuse and harass female staff and Crs, but no one would back me to act against him.

A person against whom there had been a serious private investigators report before he was elected

I experienced offers of bribes from developers, which I reported but where I was advised that I was in an extreme minority of so reporting, and was even advised by developers themselves of who their mates were.

Anyway, I sought to introduce a Cr Code of Conduct even tougher than Brimbank's but it only had my vote. I tried to stop that other Cr abusing... but even the then Mayor refused to act.

PS I have submitted to the state govt a vastly expanded potential Code of Conduct but I would guess that both ALP and LNP will knock it back