About the Greens NSW

The Greens movement is based on the four pillars of social equity and economic justice, ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, and peace, nonviolence and disarmament. Green parties across the world share these same principles and values.

In NSW, we have 7 members of Parliament, 2 Senators in Federal Parliament, and over 70 Local Government Councillors. We are comprised of 60 local groups across the State.

Local government legal services retainer

The Greens NSW are seeking the provision of local government legal services with a retainer of up to $44,000 pa from a registered legal firm certified by the NSW Law Society. The firm is to hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance to provide an average of 7 hours of legal service per week (averaged over each month) for Greens NSW Councillors.

The successful firm will provide advice on all legal matters relating to a Councillors execution of their duties as an elected Councillor, including:

• Code of Conduct
• Code of Meeting Practice
• Differentiation of operational versus policy matters
• Interpretation of confidentiality & the rights & expectations of Councillors' access to confidential information
• Defamation and the implied right of freedom of communication
• Safe public statements and social media comments
• Development assessment process at the planning assessment panel level

Scope & Deliverables

• Provide high-quality advice to councillors in a timely and flexible manner
• Provide invoices to Greens NSW for the retainer from Greens NSW Councillors
• Provide an annual summary report to be presented to Greens NSW SDC of the retainer service

EOI applicants are requested to respond to the 3-point criteria below

1. Understanding of Green's values, processes, and procedures
2. Comprehensive and detailed understanding of the Local Government Act 1993 and related Acts including but not limited to Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, EP&A Act 1979 as well as a strong understanding of defamation law.
3. Aptitude to understand the anxiety local Councillors face when dealing with legal and code of conduct matters.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of all ages.

For further queries about the role please email [email protected] uusing the subject line: Local Government Legal Services Retainer enquiry via EthicalJobs.