Code of Conduct
Version 2, Last Updated 9 March 2026
1. Preamble / Statement of Purpose
Northside Community Voices Inc. (NCV) is established to facilitate constructive, evidence-based dialogue between citizens and their elected representatives at all levels of Australian government. ‘Our area’ includes the City of Moreton Bay and the entirety of any State electorates or Federal Divisions that lie mainly within that Local Government Area. Our “voices” are expressed as desired outcomes that our residents wish to see achieved within reasonable timeframes. Those outcomes may cover local, state, national and international jurisdiction and apply across social, environmental, economic and governance issues.
Our object is to elevate community concerns that are actionable within the framework of Australian law and the democratic process. To ensure the integrity of this process and to maintain a productive environment, all users must adhere to the Code of Conduct.
2. Definitions
NCV : Northside Community Voices Inc., an incorporated, not-for-profit community association
Board: the committee of management of NCV comprising five Members elected by ordinary Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Member: An adult resident of our area who has registered online to become a member of NCV by agreeing to comply with the NCV Code of Conduct and have read and understood our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
Friend of NCV: A resident under the age of 16, an elected representative or a resident of any area outside our area who has registered online to become affiliated as an Friend of NCV
Secretariat: A group of Members and any full-time or part-time staff, contractors, advisors etc. providing administrative support to the Board who have agreed to comply with the NCV Code of Conduct and have read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Secretariat staff will also be subject to a set of additional requirements relating specifically to corporate administration.
Privacy Policy: NCV’s Privacy Policy
Terms of Service: NCV’s Terms of Service for users of NVC’s IT websites and online services
People: The term “people” is used in this Code of Conduct to include Members, Secretariat staff, Friends of NCV and volunteers.
Moderator: A Member or panel of Members charged by the Board with the responsibility of reviewing new outcomes posted by Members for compliance with legal requirements and alignment with our values. The Moderator has the authority to delete, amend or combine outcomes that are similar to, or duplicating, existing outcomes prior to making them visible to the public.
3. Objective
The objective of the Code of Conduct is to assist NCV to maintain a harmonious and ethical operating environment which upholds NCV’s purpose and values and allows the Board to terminate membership and access to NVC’s services for people who infringe this Code.
4. Application of the Code of Conduct
4.1. Members
This Code of Conduct applies to all Members and Friends of NCV.
4.2. Secretariat and Board Administrative Codes
There is a similar but separate Administrative Code covering the Board and people providing secretariat / administrative services to NCV (Secretariat staff). This includes employees (including temporary employees) contractors, consultants and members acting volunteers for the Secretariat. Members of the Board (Committee of Management) are also subject to extra provision of the Board Code.
4.3. Volunteer Training
At various time, such as election campaigns or community actions, adults and children who are not Members of the association may wish to volunteer for tasks like letterbox drops, leafletting or fundraising. Prior to their involvement the Members coordinating these activities will be obliged to provide a basic level of training to ensure volunteers act in accordance with our values, are respectful of any interaction with the public and observe prudent workplace health and safety measures.
5. Our Purpose (Mission) and Values
5.1. Purpose
The primary purpose of our association is to operate as a non-partisan organisation for Members wishing to become actively involved (i.e. have a “Voice”) in the democratic processes and decision-making affecting their physical and natural environment and quality of life and that of future generations living in the area. NCV supports Members working to achieve positive and sustainable social, economic, environmental and governance changes for the benefit of our community
5.2. Values
Our values and commitments are summarised below:
1. Acknowledgement of First Nations people:
NCV recognises the ancestral connections and custodianship of Traditional Owners throughout Australia and works towards reconciliation.
2. Raising the standard of political representation:
NCV aims to move beyond traditional party politics, focusing on community needs and preferences through communication of the voices of our community expressed as a broad range of desired outcomes.
3. Community engagement:
NCV emphasise involving everyday people in political processes at all three levels of government and respectful dialogue and inclusivity in decision-making, valuing diverse perspectives.
4. Safety from violence, coercion and addiction
NCV believes everybody, particularly women, children and vulnerable minorities, must be able to live in safety, free from acts and threats of violence, intimidation and the scourge of addiction.
5. Representative Accountability:
NCV believes in empowering the community to take an active role in the political process and hold their representatives accountable for achieving constituents’ desired outcomes within reasonable timeframes.
6. Climate Action:
NCV promotes strong climate policies, actions to reduce carbon emissions and a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, sustainable housing and transport.
7. Integrity, transparency and accountability:
NCV advocates for independent bodies to investigate and eliminate corruption and ensure ethical behaviour, transparency and accountability at all three levels of government.
8. Socially and culturally progressive, economically and environmentally responsible:
NCV encourages adoption of progressive values and maintains strong support for prudential economic management and protection of natural environments and biodiversity.
9. Long-Term Thinking and Appropriate Action:
NCV promotes the importance of strategic long-term planning, tackling challenging issues and acting in accordance with the laws and norms of civil society.
10. Equality of opportunity for all people:
NCV advocates for equality of opportunity for all people regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, or national or ethnic origin.
6. Policy
The Code of Conduct sets out the expected standard of behaviour of all Members, Secretariat staff and Friends of NCV. When working together, either online or in person, at NCV offices, at meetings or engaged in NCV activities in the community, everybody is required to treat the association’s activities as a workplace.
The Code of Conduct and the behaviours outlined within it are fundamental to NCV building healthy, positive, and respectful relationships with our community. The Code of Conduct also governs the way in which all NCV’s people are expected to relate to one another, external professionals, visitors, and all stakeholders.
The Code of Conduct is not intended to provide a detailed and exhaustive list of what to do in every aspect of work. Instead, it represents a broad framework that will help guide conduct and behaviour in the performance of duties and interactions in the workplace.
7. Core Principles for Participation
7.1. Respectful Communication
People are expected to communicate respectfully and constructively with all other people, both online and in person, refraining from personal attacks, insults, or offensive language. People must not discriminate against, sexually harass, or harass or bully anyone, and are expected to encourage a workplace culture that is free from such treatment.
7.2. Inclusivity and Diversity
People should treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or opinions,
7.3. Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying
People must avoid language or behaviour that is discriminatory or harassing. Anyone witnessing any type of inappropriate behaviour by people engaged in NCV activities or online is obliged to report it immediately to [email protected]. Any question or concerns about bullying, harassment or discrimination queries should also be raised at that same email address.
7.4. Legal Observance
All NCV’s people must acknowledge the legitimacy of Australian governmental institutions and legal frameworks and conduct themselves accordingly. Advocacy must be for change within this system.
7.5. Evidence-Based Discourse
People are encouraged to ground their concerns in verifiable facts, data, and evidence from reputable sources. Anecdotes and personal opinions are welcome but should be presented as such. Members are required to abstain from criticising or attempting to undermine the overwhelming majority of expert opinion of qualified scientists and doctors in areas such as human-induced global heating and the vital role of vaccines in combatting disease.
7.6. Constructive Engagement
NCV’s goal is to identify problems and propose or discuss potential solutions. Mere criticism without constructive purpose is discouraged. Civility and respect is important and all NCV people, members of the public, and Government officers and Representatives must be treated with dignity. Debates about ideas are encouraged; personal attacks are not.
7.7. Good Faith
All NCV people are presumed to be engaging honestly to further the association’s purpose and activities and any attempts to disrupt NCV activities or promote external agendas will not be tolerated.
7.8. Safety & Privacy:
People must respect the privacy of others and never share personal or confidential information without consent. Sharing of inappropriate, explicit, or unsafe content is prohibited.
8. Enforcement: Prohibited Content & Behaviour
8.1. Misinformation and Disinformation
Members may not post content that constitutes health misinformation (e.g., that contradicts scientific consensus from bodies like the ATAGI, WHO, or TGA), climate change denialism (e.g., that contradicts the consensus of organisations like the CSIRO, IPCC, or Bureau of Meteorology), or other forms of misinformation that are demonstrably false and likely to cause harm to public discourse. Claims presented as fact must be supportable by evidence from credible, authoritative sources.
8.2. Hate Speech and Discrimination
Members may not post content that attacks, incites hatred against, or promotes discrimination towards any group based on race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This includes attacks on the LGBTIQ+ community, migrants, and other minority groups.
8.3. Conspiracy Theories and “Sovereign Citizen” Rhetoric
Members may not post content that promotes baseless conspiracy theories (e.g., that malign the integrity of core democratic institutions without credible evidence) or the ideology of movements that reject the authority of the Australian government and its laws (e.g., “Sovereign Citizen” or similar movements).
8.4. Harassment and Incitement
Members may not engage in the targeted harassment of any user or individual, nor post content that incites violence or lawless action.
8.5. Off-Topic and Repetitive Posting (Spamming)
Members may not deliberately derail conversations or repeatedly post the same or similar content across multiple threads with the effect of hijacking discussions or overwhelming the site (a practice known as “brigading” or “spamming”).”
9. Moderator Authority and Process
9.1. Role of the Moderator
The Moderator is a Member or panel of Members charged by the Board with the responsibility of reviewing new outcomes posted by Members for compliance with legal requirements, NCV values and the authority to delete, amend or combine outcomes that are similar to, or duplicating, existing outcomes prior to making them visible to the public.
9.2. Moderation Decisions
Moderation decisions are final and based on the provisions of this Code of Conduct and NCV’s Terms of Service. The Moderator has the sole discretion to:
- Remove, edit, or lock any post or thread that violates the Code or Terms.
- Issue warnings to users.
- Suspend or recommend that the Board terminate membership of users who repeatedly or egregiously violate the Code or Terms.
While moderators will act in good faith, their decisions regarding violations are final. Attempts to publicly debate moderation decisions within the NCV community may result in further action.
9.3. Definition of Authoritative Sources
To maintain a high level of trust, impartiality and credibility required by NCV to effectively pursue its purpose and uphold its values, the Moderator requires, wherever possible, that Members support their desired outcomes with research and statistics from authoritative sources.
It is important to avoid inflammatory language like “corrupt journalists” and “fossil fuel propaganda” in material posted to the site. To provide a reasonable standard of objectivity, members are encouraged to cite credible sources when making factual claims. Examples of authoritative sources typically include:
- Government Agencies: (e.g., ABS, CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology, AIHW, TGA, ATAGI)
- Academic & Research Institutions: Australian and international universities, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Established News Media: Outlets that adhere to Australian journalistic standards and codes of practice.
Content that relies exclusively on sources known to promote disinformation, propaganda, or that have a demonstrable pattern of falsehoods will be subject to removal and further sanctions.