# Councillors Saved from Legal Loophole | Melbourne News

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/melbourne-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7572838/councillors-saved-from-legal-loophole-melbourne-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/melbourne-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7572838/councillors-saved-from-legal-loophole-melbourne-news.md
Podcast: [Melbourne News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/melbourne-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7572838)
Published: 2026-09-18T10:28:55+00:00
Episode link: https://sources.thednn.ai/7b0765902e9c954d
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/6d081986-cd05-48f8-ae70-32a32c744ef8.mp3
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Duration seconds: 117

## Resource

Victorian councillors breathe a sigh of relief as new laws slam the door on “untested private prosecutions” — a loophole that once forced five Hepburn Shire councillors to step down before charges were even properly vetted. The bizarre legal maneuver, triggered by a local businessman’s accusations over budget adoption, left the council paralyzed and critics calling it weaponized law. Thanks to intervention from the Director of Public Prosecutions, charges were dropped — but the incident exposed a dangerous vulnerability across local government. Now, the Local Government Act has been amended: councillors will only be automatically suspended if a criminal case is already underway or law enforcement is involved. This crucial fix prevents one person from shutting down a council through unproven claims, restoring stability and confidence for elected officials statewide. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sources: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-18/private-prosecution-to-shut-down-council-loophole-closed/107167238 More coverage & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/7b0765902e9c954d Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai.

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