In Victoria, any councillor facing criminal charges must step down while the matter is dealt with in court, meaning only two of seven councillors remained active. "The DPP having reviewed all the evidence determined that there were insufficient grounds available to proceed with the prosecutions," the spokesperson said. "Until the Victorian government changes the law and closes the loophole that forces councillors to stand aside for private criminal prosecutions, the threat will continue." The state government has previously introduced legislation to allow councillors to continue their work while facing private prosecutions. Any individual can initiate a private criminal proceeding without the involvement of police.