Onkaparinga Council scraps independent inquiry into its credit card spending

THE Adelaide council that spent thousands on Apple products for its CEO, an Oval rooftop climb and flowers has scrapped an inquiry into its rampant credit card spending — because it’s “already cleaned up its act”.

• $6800 for CEO golf membership — and it’s not even a local club
• ... then they spent $22k to keep it secret
• And the council spent $70k on credit cards in 18 months
• Onka councillors say ratepayers deserve answers on spending
• Council introduces new credit cards rules after public backlash

A REVIEW into Onkaparinga’s credit card spending has been canned because the council has “already cleaned up its act”.

At a meeting last night, the council reversed a decision to have an independent inquiry into its expenditure, which followed backlash about extravagant staff expenses.

Chief executive Mark Dowd was planning to ask the State Ombudsman or a not-for-profit group such as Anglicare to do the review, which could have cost up to $50,000.

The decision came after Freedom of Information documents revealed spending by council staff, which included thousands of dollars on Apple products — including an Apple Watch — for Mr Dowd. It also included flowers, overnight accommodation in city hotels after functions and an Adelaide Oval rooftop climb.

In total it spent almost $70,000 in 18 months on ratepayer-funded credit cards.

In February, the council decided to press ahead with the review and update its spending policies and procedures.

But elected members last night argued transactions had always been within guidelines, the inquiry was a knee-jerk reaction to public scrutiny and a waste of money and policies had already been overhauled.

Cr Parslow, who pushed to abandon the inquiry, told the meeting it was time the council put concerns about expenditure behind them.

“To continue with this particular inquiry, when we have already made decisions about how we are going into the future … is only a waste of money,” Cr Parslow said.

Cr Martin Bray said policy changes were “seriously terrific”, so an inquiry was not needed.

“We have cleaned up our act up, which was what was expected of us to do,” Cr Bray said.

Cr Gary Hennessey said residents wanted the council to “get on with doing its job”.

“They say, ‘for crying out loud, let’s get over it’,” Cr Hennessey said.

In April, the council overhauled its credit card spending policies and hospitality purchasing guidelines.

Among the changes were a limit on gift expenditure, a ban on alcohol at some staff functions and an end to expensive lunches.

Some councillors at the meeting said without the inquiry, the community would have no closure.

Onkaparinga CEO Mark Dowd with Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg, and magistrate Su Jingwen at the McLaren Vale visitor centre. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A flustered Mr Dowd told the meeting not much work had been done into starting the inquiry, because the council had focused on policy changes instead

Councillors voted 10-4 to cancel the review.

Cr Don Chapman was disappointed by the decision, saying the public wanted more answers.

“The community needs to see that we are exercising transparency and openness,” Cr Chapman said.

“That has been part of the problem all along.”

Cr Bill Jamieson, who first suggested the inquiry, said without it, there would be no closure.

“And that is what worries me, closure, not just in here but outside as well,” Cr Jamieson said.

“People are going to say we still have something to hide.”