Grievance Procedure
SLSQ informs that changes to how incorporated associations resolve internal grievances (complaints) under section 47A the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 will come into effect on the 1 July 2024. Incorporated Associations will need to follow the grievance procedure in the model rules of the Act or adopt another procedure that complies with section 47A of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 into its constitution.
This is aimed to give associations a formal process to handle internal conflicts and help parties resolve them before they incur legal costs.
Clubs
Please note that this adjustment will not affect the Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSC) as they are bound by the policies outlined in the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) policy which aligns with these requirements.
Those SLSC with outdated constitutions that have not yet adopted the SLSA model will need to adopt it into your constitution at your Annual General Meeting’s, as the SLSA policy and procedure will automatically apply from 1 July 2024.
Supporter's Clubs
If you don’t have a grievance procedure, you can follow the model rules’ grievance procedure, you won’t need to make any changes to your constitution—the model rules procedure will automatically apply.
If you wish to follow a custom grievance procedure, you will need to adopt it into your constitution.
If you already have a compliant grievance procedure in your constitution, you can continue to follow it. You will not need to make any changes to your constitution.
If you have a grievance procedure in your rules that does not comply with the upcoming changes, it will be invalid, and you will need to follow the model rules grievance procedure or adopt a compliant version into your constitution.
Remuneration Discloses
From 1 July 2024, all incorporated associations will need to disclose remuneration and other benefits at their Annual General Meeting (AGM), even if the amount to report is zero. This applies to benefits and remuneration given to Board/Management Committee members, senior staff and their relatives.
How to disclose remuneration and benefits:
Your association must disclose remuneration and other benefits at its AGM in either:
If your association did not provide remuneration or other benefits, you can state this verbally, but it must be recorded in the AGM minutes.
Please see below link for further information
Should you have any questions or require further clarification regarding these updates, please email Kerrie Barnes, Joel Kinneally or Danielle Blake at ethicialstandards@lifesaving.com.au.