LEGISLATORS and the public are to be consulted again on whether a committee and guidelines are needed on possible misconduct among lawmakers.
The proposal was rejected in the last legislative session, despite the fact the members' interests committee had spent a year working out plans for a self-regulating mechanism.
Those who opposed the proposal, including the Democratic Party, said the ethics committee could be easily abused and turn into a coercive 'secret internal police'.
Independents Emily Lau Wai-hing, Elizabeth Wong Chien Chi-lien and Yum Sin-ling of the 123 Democratic Alliance said at yesterday's meeting the proposal should be put forward to the whole council again.
Democrat Michael Ho Mun-ka said there was no need to have the ethics committee and guidelines, because all members were returned by election and were accountable to the public.
If the council rejects the proposal again, the committee can still issue guidelines on matters of ethics in relation to councillors' conduct but the guidelines would not be legally binding.