Dr Felicity-ann Lewis OAM has been appointed the new independent chair of South Australia’s Behavioural Standards Panel, which investigates serious or repeated misbehaviour by council members.
A former South Australian of the Year, Dr Lewis brings decades of experience to the role, including 14 years as Mayor of the City of Marion.
She has since worked as an advisor across the sector and chairing boards including the Dog and Cat Management Board and the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board.
SA Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs welcomed the appointment, saying Dr Lewis’s deep understanding of council operations and community leadership would strengthen the Panel’s work.
“She has lived and breathed local government, and her experience will be invaluable in setting and upholding high standards,” he said.
The Panel, established in 2022 as part of South Australia’s Behavioural Management Framework, provides an independent avenue for councils to refer unresolved behaviour complaints. It replaced the previous Code of Conduct system.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is also launching initiatives to enhance behaviour management, including a framework review and a new early intervention panel.
LGA President, Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, emphasised the need for robust debate in council chambers – within respectful boundaries.
“There’s no place for behaviour that makes others feel unsafe,” she said.
Dr Lewis replaces outgoing chair Thilan Legierse, who was thanked for her foundational work in establishing the Panel.
