Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current Acts(1) A Councillor Conduct Panel must not make a determination under section 167 until it has conducted a hearing.
(2) The following applies to a hearing of a Councillor Conduct Panel—
(a) the proceedings must be conducted with as little formality and technicality as the requirements of this Act and the proper consideration of the matter permit;
(b) there is no right to representation at the hearing except if the Councillor Conduct Panel considers that a party requires representation to ensure that the hearing is conducted fairly;
(c) the proceedings must not be open to the public;
(d) if the hearing is based on an application made by a Council or a group of Councillors, the appointed representative must represent the Council or group of Councillors at the hearing;
(e) the Councillor Conduct Panel is not bound by rules of evidence but may inform itself in any way it thinks fit;
(f) the Councillor Conduct Panel is bound by the rules of natural justice;
(g) the procedure of a Councillor Conduct Panel is otherwise in its discretion.
(3) At the hearing of an application, the Councillor Conduct Panel must provide the respondent with an opportunity to be heard.