By Brendan Rees
Casey councillors claimed a whopping $137,243 in ratepayer funded expenses in the past financial year – a 58 per cent increase in just three years.
Casey’s 11 councillors claimed expenses for overseas trips, car travel, mobile phone, laptop and internet use, as well as education and training costs in the year to July, the 2018-19 Casey annual report has revealed – with the total up $50,396 from 2015-16.
The costs has been slammed by Ratepayers Victoria as “irresponsible spending.”
“There’s little or no accountable how our money is being spent. We’ve had enough of it,” Ratepayers Victoria vice-president Frank Sullivan said.
Mayor Amanda Stapledon had the most expenses of any councillor – $50,154, including $14,096 for travel costs and $17,895 in carer expenses for her son Pete who has a disability.
Next was Cr Sam Aziz with $29,315 in total expenses, including $17,848 for travel. Claiming the least was Cr Milla Gillic who spent $590.
In a statement, Cr Stapledon said expenses reported in the annual report were compliant with councils adopted Councillors Reimbursement of Expenses Policy.
Councillor Rex Flannery said he would be challenging $2,284 in total expenses contending he doesn’t “waste a penny except for my phone bill”.
He also wanted to see “proof in the pudding” with council overseas trips, after ratepayers paid $70,000 for councillors and council officers to visit China on two separate trips this year – which council argues was about “forming relationships and identifying opportunities to create trade, economic development and arts and cultural benefits for our region”.
But Cr Flannery said: “The money we’ve spent overseas could’ve been invested into employing people or helping businesses to employ more people”.
Mr Sullivan also voiced his concerns of council overseas trips saying there was “no evidence” they were of “any benefit to the ratepayers.”
“That’s all bloody spin – they’re past masters at it,” he said.
Residents and Ratepayers Association president Arvo Talvik said the $137,243 bill “doesn’t seem a lot with respect to the overall Casey Council budget” but did question travel expenses.
“Councillors get paid. This is a clear example of snouts in the trough,” he said.
Carers Victoria CEO Scott Walker said Cr Stapledon was entitled to ensure her son is cared for when she is participating in council business – “in order to fulfil the duties as a councillor and roles and responsibilities of mayor.”
“Carers Victoria is aware local governments are required to act in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989 in relation to prescribed reimbursements for councillors with care responsibilities,” he said.
The mayor also received an annual allowance of $107,819 pro-rata while councillors got allowances of $33,535.
