Special event: Civic Hackathon | 22 October 2026 | Online | Free 
Special live event

Addressing the policy gap: when the personal cost of incivility becomes an organisational risk

A national conversation about the psychosocial safety of councillors and addressing the policy gap within local government

  • Format

    Online & live

  • Date

    Friday
    27 November 2026

  • Audience

    Councillors, General Managers / CEOs & governance staff

  • Time

    12:30pm to 1:30pm (AEDT)

    Why incivility is becoming an organisational risk for local government

    Incivility is not new to public life. But the nature, frequency and intensity of the pressures experienced by people in civic leadership such as councillors are changing. And it is coming at a personal cost. 

    New Australian evidence is making the scale of the issue harder to ignore. The Better Politics Study Australia 2026, the largest Australian study of the mental health and wellbeing of politicians, surveyed 289 elected representatives across local, state and federal government, including 123 local councillors. It found: 

    •  70% reported that public office had adversely affected their mental wellbeing, 
    •  90% called for more mental health support to perform their roles effectively. 
    At the same time, the work health & safety (WHS) landscape is evolving with psychosocial hazards now explicitly recognised within Australia's WHS framework. This includes requirements focused on identifying, assessing and controlling risks to psychological health and safety before someone becomes unwell.

    For local government, this raises important questions about how this applies to the distinctive role and working environment of councillors.

    Where does individual wellbeing end and organisational risk begin? And are current governance policies adequate to address the harms at a councillor level?

    The policy gap in councillor psychosocial safety

    This event will explore the gap between councillors experience in civic office and the organisational policies and systems in local government that currently exist to address known harms that can arise from the role.

    Councillors operate in an environment where public scrutiny, community expectations, political disagreement, social media, conflict and personal criticism can be part of the role. Some of this is an unavoidable part of democratic leadership.

    But there is a point where disagreement becomes incivility, incivility becomes harm, and harm can become an organisational risk.

    The challenge is knowing where that point sits and what should happen when it is reached. And importantly, what policies and systems should be created to deal with these risks at a council-wide level.

    Who should attend

    Councillors who are experiencing the changing pressures of civic leadership firsthand
    General Managers & CEOs who are navigating the organisational, governance and WHS implications 
    Mayors and deputy Mayors who are leading the governing body and their communities
    Senior executive and governances staff within councils who are responsible for policy implementation

    What we'll explore

    In this one hour conversation. we’ll explore the current evidence and changing WHS landscape when it comes to the mental health of local councillors. We will examine a real case study and identify practical opportunities for action at individual, organisational and sector-wide levels.

    Welcome

    You’ll be welcomed to the conversation and invited to share the biggest risk that you see when the cost of incivility in civic office becomes personal.

    The evidence 

    Better Politics Foundation will share the results of their study into the mental health of politicians in Australia..You will hear the latest insights on the state of wellbeing of councillors in Australia and how this compares to other levels of government. 

    The changing WHS & governance landscape

    You'll hear from two experts (who are also councillors) about the current requirements for managing psychosocial hazards associated with civic life, how this translates into organisational risk and what this means for the local councillors and councils.

    Practical & emerging governance solutions

    We'll explore practical case studies with two current serving councillors who have navigated these pressures and are creating innovative governance solutions to manage the risk. 

    Collective action

    Together, we'll brainstorm practical opportunities for action at three levels: Individual, organisational and sector-wide.

    Close

    We'll end by consolidating key insights and you'll leave with a clear next step to keep the conversation going in your council.

    What you'll take away

    #1 A current evidence base on  the extent of harm to councillors

    #2  Insights into the changing  WHS landscape

    #3 A range of practical ideas and solutions 

    Join the conversation

    Addressing the policy gap: When the personal cost of incivility becomes an organisational risk

    A one-hour national online conversation for councillors, mayors, GMs, CEOs and local government staff. 

    Friday, 27 November 2026 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm
    Online

    Meet the conversation guests

    Our guests bring a global perspective, lived experience and expertise to the conversation. Our line-up includes local government leaders from across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

    Kimberly McArthur

    Co-CEO,  Better Politics Foundation

    Kim is leading the work across the globe around the mental wellbeing of our elected leaders. She is the co-author of the trailblazing Mere Mortals report and has led the recent study into the mental wellbeing of politicians in Australia.

    Kim is a non-profit sector leader with a background in law, politics and psychology. She works with current and aspiring political leaders and political leadership innovators across the globe to reimagine who leads and how they lead. 

    Kim is a mental health and wellbeing advocate and researcher.

    Nicole Turnbull

    Councillor, MidCoast Council & 
    CEO, Psychosocial Safety and Leadership Institute

    As CEO of the Psychosocial Safety and Leadership Institute, Nicole leads Australia's peak body for psychosocial safety in the workplace. Nicole is also the Chief Courage Officer of Neon Shed, which brings light to
    the dark sides of work by helping organisations prevent, manage and
    reduce psychosocial hazards.

    As an elected councillor,      Nicole brings lived understanding of local
    government challenges and creates practical, implementable solutions that respect the unique complexities of local government.

    Dr Moira Jenkins

    Mayor, Victor Harbour City Council & Director, Aboto

    Dr Moira Jenkins is a clinical psychologist, dispute resolution practitioner, author and Mayor of the City of Victor Harbor. She specialises in conflict management, workplace behaviour, psychological safety and governance, and is the founder and Director of Aboto Psychology and Conflict Management Services. 

    Moira holds a PhD focused on workplace bullying, postgraduate qualifications in conflict management and dispute resolution, and has extensive experience as a mediator, trainer and conciliator. Her work focuses on how we can better manage conflict, incivility and behavioural risk.

    Margot Davis

    Mayor, Glen Innes Severn Council

    Margot is a passionate advocate for councillor safey and wellbeing and believes that the conversation must move beyond individual resilience to sector-wide change.

    Since being elected Mayor in 2024, she has led the development of an innovative new framework for councillor psychosocial-safety in her council.

    She believes that local government must be safe and an environment where Councillors can meet their responsibilities without intimidation, and where community members feel supported and encouraged to step up and run for office.

    Connie Boglis OAM

    Councillor, City of Darebin

    Connie is a counsellor, youth worker, author, councillor, and nationally recognised mental health advocate with more than 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable communities across Australia. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2024 for her service to mental health reform, veterans, and the community.

    Connie is widely respected for her leadership in suicide prevention, veteran family advocacy, lived-experience leadership, and community wellbeing. She is champion for the Better Politics Foundation study and an advocate for organisational and sector change to address the mental health harms of civic office.

    Meet the conversation hosts

    This national conversation is being delivered by four fabulous facilitators who care deeply about the success of local government and have extensive experience in supporting councillors thrive in their roles.

    Emma Broomfield

    Emma is our founder and lead facilitator, with over 20 years’ experience in local government and a strong belief in the power of local leaders to transform communities. She created Locale Learning to support the whole person behind the role, drawing on her expertise as a lawyer, mediator, conflict coach, and engagement specialist, and her experience working with hundreds of councillors across more than 40 LGAs.

    Anna
    Miley 

    Anna is our mindset and political wellbeing coach, with expertise in stress, mental fitness, and self-leadership. As an accredited exercise physiologist, mindset coach, and yoga therapist, she brings a strong background in entrepreneurship and small business. Since joining Locale Learning in 2021, Anna has supported local government leaders to build the mindset and self-care practices needed to lead effectively.

    Karen 
    Foster

    Karen is a sitting Councillor (and former Mayor) and seasoned Board director with a wealth of knowledge in political and community leadership. She has experienced first hand the challenges and opportunities of being an elected representative. Karen is dedicated to elevating and supporting the leadership of women in local government and has spent many years coaching and mentoring women. Her passion is self-leadership. 

    Sandy
    Killick

    Sandy’s priority is equipping people with the skills, practices and habits to grow democracy between elections. Her goal is to ensure all have the skills and confidence to keep Australian democracy fit for purpose. She is a qualified executive coach, nationally accredited mediator, conflict coach, ethics trainer, experienced adult educator. She is a Social Leadership Australia alumna and Churchill Fellow.

    Our conversation partners

    Better Politics Foundation
    Psychosocial Safety and Leadership Institute

    Be part of the conversation

    Addressing the policy gap: When the personal cost of incivility becomes an organisational risk

    A one-hour national online conversation for councillors, mayors, GMs, CEOs and local government staff. 

    Friday, 27 November 2026 | 12:30pm to 1:30pm
    Online

    What others say about us

    "The Summit content was really impressive - both for its empathic tone and wise content."
    Political Wellbeing Summit attendee
    "Your framework is something to be really proud of – it is brilliant in my opinion, comprehensive and right on point."
    Michelle McFayden - Michelle McFayden Consulting
    "I believe the Summit was very worthwhile. I am sure this is just the beginning of a very long and much needed conversation that must be had now and into the future."
    Craig Swift-McNair - General Manager, Woollahra Municipal Council

    "I appreciate the mindful way your team approach these sessions. I gain courage and validation from my fellow councillors' experiences. Being able to review the program (when I have time) and have it as a resource is invaluable. 
    Political Wellbeing Lab attendee
    "I found the Lab useful in progressing my thinking. The Lab moved my thinking to avoidance, rather than engagement, with two most toxic fellow councillors."
    Political Wellbeing Lab attendee
    "I’ve made valuable new connections and have been inspired by the strength of commitment to better politics shown by fellow councillors from across Australia, representing a diversity of communities and perspectives."
    Political Wellbeing Lab attendee

    Frequently asked questions

    This one-hour national conversation brings councillors, mayors, GMs, CEOs and local government staff together to explore how when the personal cost of incivility become an organisational risk.. Here are common questions about this special live event.

    Who should attend?

    This event is designed specifically for Australian local government leaders, including:

    • Councillors and Mayors
    • General Managers and CEOs
    • Directors and senior local government executives
    • People with responsibility for governance, people and culture, WHS, risk or organisational wellbeing

    It is particularly relevant to those seeking to better understand the psychosocial risks associated with the councillor role and the policy and practice gaps that may exist around them.

    Why bring councillors and GMs/executives together?

    Because the issue cannot be understood from one perspective alone. Councillors and executives experience civic leadership differently and have different roles within the organisation. Bringing both perspectives together allows us to explore the inter-relational and organisational dynamics.  The focus is on the system, the policy gap and opportunities for improvement.

    Is this a councillor wellbeing event?

    Not in the traditional sense. While mental health and wellbeing are important parts of the conversation, the event takes a broader psychosocial safety, organisational risk and policy perspective.

    The focus is on understanding when the personal impact of incivility and other challenging aspects of the councillor role becomes an organisational concern and what councils and the sector can do in response.

    Will the discussion focus on WHS obligations?

    Yes, but this is not a WHS compliance briefing as the obligations are specific to each jurisdiction in Australia.  An expert perspective will consider the changing psychosocial risk landscape and what it may mean for local government, including approaches such as risk identification, early intervention and the hierarchy of controls.

    Why is this conversation important now?

    There is growing evidence about the mental health impacts of political and civic leadership, alongside a changing WHS environment that places greater emphasis on identifying and managing psychosocial risks.

    For local government, this raises important questions about how existing policies, systems and practices apply to the distinctive roles of elected members and senior executives. This event provides an opportunity to explore those questions together.

    Will the event provide legal or WHS advice?

    No. The event is intended to inform discussion and practice, not provide legal advice or a substitute for jurisdiction-specific WHS guidance. Participants should consider their own legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements.

    What do you mean by “incivility”?

    Incivility can include a range of behaviours, from persistent unreasonable or disrespectful behaviour through to bullying, harassment, aggression, intimidation and abuse.

    The event is not about labelling robust political debate or legitimate disagreement as harmful. Rather, it explores when behaviour crosses a line and begins to have a significant impact on people and the organisation.

    What are the guidelines for event participation?

    We welcome different perspectives and robust discussion, provided it remains respectful, constructive and focused on the issues. Participants are asked to leave partisan debate at the door and focus on shared experiences, evidence, policy and practical opportunities for improvement.

    Is the event non-partisan?

    Yes. This is a non-partisan conversation focused on the health, safety and sustainability of civic leadership not on political parties, individual political positions or electoral issues.

    More questions?

    Please email us at contact@localelearning.com.au or call Emma on 0421 180 881

    Who we are and why we care

    At Locale Learning, we believe in humanising the political experience and supporting locally elected leaders to reach their leadership potential. 

    We are an Australian-based non-partisan political leadership accelerator working with local government councillors. Our mission is to build the capacity of impactful leaders for the communities they serve. 

    We've been globally recognised for the work we do in supporting the  wellbeing of elected leaders.
    Locale Learning

    Stay connected

    • contact@localelearning.com.au
    • 0421 180 881

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