The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to adopt a Councillor Gift Policy.
At its meeting held on 29 March 2021, Council adopted the Councillor Gift Policy. The purpose of the policy is to provide guidance to councillors relating to the acceptance or otherwise of a gift or other benefits such as hospitality, favours, entertainment and services offered to a councillor.
The policy establishes a framework and a clear understanding for the acceptance and declaration of gifts, benefits and hospitality by councillors to ensure the highest standard of integrity, transparency and accountability is maintained at all times.
Download full Councillor Gift Policy
Gifts, benefits and hospitality register 2023
| Date received | Councillor | Description of gift | Doner | Accepted or refused | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 January | Cr Victor Franco | 2 books | Progressive Atheists Inc | Accepted | $70 |
| 20 February | Cr Victor Franco | Coffee mug | John Gardiner Rover Crew – 1st Glen Iris | Accepted | $10 |
| 17 May | Cr Victor Franco | Bottle of wine | U3A Hawthorn | Accepted | $25 |
| 12 July | Cr Lisa Hollingsworth | Framed photo print 53 cm x 43 cm | Raymond Gruchy | Accepted | $200 |
| 2 September | Cr Victor Franco | Bottle of wine | Camberwell Bowls Club | Accepted | $20 |
| 10 September | Cr Wes Gault | 2 complimentary tickets to a concert | Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra | Accepted | $190 |
| 23 November | Cr Victor Franco | Book voucher | Humanists Victoria | Accepted | $60 |
| 25 November | Cr Cynthia Watson | Complimentary ticket to a concert "Double Concertos" | Zelman Symphony Orchestra | Accepted | $90 |
| 8 December | Cr Cynthia Watson | Ticket to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" | Geoffrey McComas Theatre | Accepted | $55 |
Gifts, benefits and hospitality register 2022
| Date received | Councillor | Description of gift | Doner | Accepted or refused | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 January | Cr Garry Thompson | Mayoral gift for 2020/21 | City of Boroondara | Accepted | $716.59 |
| 18 February | Cr Victor Franco | Business card holder | Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR) | Accepted | $40 |
| 18 February | Cr Victor Franco | Hospitality – lunch | Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR) | Accepted | $60 |
| March | Cr Cynthia Watson | Aged red ginseng | Korean Society of Victoria | Accepted | $75 |
| March | Cr Cynthia Watson | 2 pairs of chopsticks and metal spoons | Korean Society of Victoria | Accepted | $50 |
| 6 March | Cr Jane Addis | 2 promotional magazines and a plaque | Melbourne Church of South India | Accepted – to be provided to appropriate charity | N/A |
| 30 March | Cr Nick Stavrou | Invitation to the VMC multicultural dinner | Office of the Hon David Davis MP | Accepted | |
| April | Cr Cynthia Watson | 3 tubes of tennis balls | Mitcham Football Club | Accepted | $50 |
| 29 April | Cr Jane Addis | Door prize | Vietnamese Society, Ashburton | Refused – gift returned to donor | $10 |
| 29 April | Cr Jane Addis | Double pass to Zelman Memorial Concert | Vice President, Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 29 April | Cr Cynthia Watson | Double pass to Zelman Memorial Concert | Vice President, Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 11 May | Cr Di Gillies | 2 tickets to Zelman Symphony event | George Deutsch, Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 17 May | Cr Jane Addis | Sunday Service: the Balwyn Rotary Sunday Market book | Balwyn Rotary Club | Accepted – to be included in the civic collection | $90 |
| 27 May | Cr Susan Biggar | Ticket to the annual Old Scotch Collegians' Association Dinner | Old Scotch Collegians' Association | Accepted | $175 |
| 28 May | Cr Lisa Hollingsworth | 2 tickets to Camberwell Showtime at Hawthorn Arts Centre | Jan Black, Camberwell Showtime | Accepted | $56 |
| 7 June | Cr Jane Addis | Notepad and Keep Cup | Strathcona Girls School | Accepted – to be provided to appropriate charity | Estimated $20 |
| August | Cr Jane Addis | Book | Joyce Brown | Accepted – forwarded for inclusion in the civic collection | N/A |
| 23 August | Cr Victor Franco | Pro bono legal representation | Maurice Blackburn Lawyers | Accepted | Estimated $15,000 |
| 24 August | Cr Jane Addis | Bunch of flowers | Balwyn Community Centre | Accepted | $50 |
| 3 September | Cr Jane Addis | 2 tickets for Zelman concert | Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 14 September | Cr Jane Addis | Book | Kew Historical Society | Accepted – forwarded for inclusion in the civic collection | $25 |
| 3 December | Cr Jane Addis | Concert tickets | Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 3 December | Cr Di Gillies | Concert tickets | Zelman Symphony | Accepted | $90 |
| 8 December | Cr Cynthia Watson | 2 bottles of wine | First National Real Estate | Accepted – shared with other Councillors | $40
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More information
For more information, contact Manager Governance and Legal on (03) 9278 4470.