Conference Structure and Scheduling
Why was the Annual Conference split into two parts?
As a registered organisation, LGNSW is bound by a number of legal obligations, including the need to report back to members on financial performance within six months of the end of the 2020-21 financial year. For this reason, an Annual Conference must be held within the relevant time period.
LGNSW’s Annual Conference has also traditionally provided the opportunity for member councils to bring forward policy motions for debate and resolution, thus helping to set the Association’s advocacy agenda for the year to come. Member feedback following 2020’s online conference experience indicated a strong preference for an in-person event at which more motions could be debated and resolved.
It would have been unreasonable to ask councillors to interrupt their election campaigns for the length of time required for an in-person event in late November. A one-hour online Annual Conference in November, followed by a full Special Conference scheduled for 28 February to 2 March 2022, was identified as the best and fairest way to fulfil LGNSW’s legal obligations as well as its accountability commitment to members.
Why not bring the Annual Conference forward?
The rules governing LGNSW require us to provide a minimum four months’ notice for the holding of an Annual Conference. It was not possible to hold a meeting before this date.
Why not just postpone the entire Annual Conference?
As a Registered Organisation, LGNSW is legally required to report back to the membership on its financial results within six months of the end of the financial year. The Annual Conference online event on 29 November was designed to meet this obligation while maintaining LGNSW’s commitment to full and transparent accountability.
Will there also be an Annual Conference in 2022?
Yes – LGNSW’s Annual Conference 2022 is scheduled to take place in the Hunter Valley in October 2022.
Motions and Voting
What impact did this have on the submission of Conference motions?
Motions were debated and resolved at LGNSW’s Special Conference (Monday 28 February - Wednesday 2 March 2022).
The deadline for accepting motions for inclusion in the Special Conference business paper was extended to midnight on Sunday 30 January 2022.
This was the additional benefit of providing sufficient time for newly elected councils to finalise their submitted motions, should they have so chosen.
Download the Motions Submissions Guide
What is happening with the LGNSW Board election?
To avoid any election irregularities, LGNSW asked the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to conduct and finalise this election so it did not clash with the local government election.