The Integrity Commissioner applied for a determination that a municipal councillor contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by failing to declare a pecuniary interest and voting on a matter involving her own remuneration suspension.
The councillor admitted the contravention but argued for a lesser penalty, citing officially induced error and bias.
The court rejected these defences, finding the councillor's actions were not mere inadvertence given her experience and prior sanctions.
The court declared the councillor's seat vacant and issued a reprimand.
