Introduction
The ACT Greens are committed to fostering and enabling good governance and a harmonious and professional working environment within which we are able to contribute to a better world. When grievances arise, the ACT Greens Support and Mediation Group (SMG) is available to assist with their resolution in a timely and compassionate manner. Please refer to the Grievance Policy and Procedures for a comprehensive guide to the services offered by the SMG.
Grievances which cannot be resolved through engagement with the SMG should be brought to the ACT Greens Arbitration and Conciliation Committee (ACC) for investigation and determination. Please refer to the ACC Policy and Procedures for a comprehensive guide to the services offered by the ACC.
Purpose and Powers
The ACC is a three person investigative tribunal (elected at the ACT Greens Annual General Meeting) which follows principles of procedural fairness to make a determination about a matter based on the balance of evidence.
Its duties are described in section 17 of the Constitution.
It has no powers to compel the presentation of evidence but withholding evidence by one party may advantage another party and so the ACC encourages full disclosure by all parties where possible.
It has no executive powers to apply sanctions but it makes recommendations to the ACT Greens Management Committee to do so. The ACC’s decisions are made by consensus where possible and otherwise, by majority with a dissenting determination.
The ACC is a member of the Council of Australian Tribunals.
Matters that may be brought to the ACC
1. A grievance or dispute brought to the SMG which cannot be resolved.
The SMG will advise the parties that the SMG is unable to assist in the resolution of the matter and that the parties may take their dispute to the ACC for consideration.
Where the dispute involves allegations of serious illegal or criminal activities, the SMG will promptly refer the matters directly to the ACC without recourse to the parties.
2. A complaint raised about a member of the ACT Greens, or by a member about a non-member.
Such cases may be raised by a member of the ACT Greens or by someone outside the ACT Greens including allegations of serious illegal or criminal activities, or activities condemned or forbidden by the Australian Greens Charter, the Constitution, By-laws or Code of Conduct.
How to bring a matter to the ACC
You may contact the ACC via its email address acc@act.greens.org.au which is accessed by all 3 ACC members.
Alternatively a matter may be raised with any ACT Greens official who will refer it to the ACC.