Calls for change after councillor wins car after purchasing ticket on council credit card
A Gold Coast councillor’s use of a corporate credit card to buy a $350 raffle ticket at a charity event, winning her a $24,000 car, has prompted calls for a review of the council’s expenditure policy.
A Gold Coast councillor’s use of a corporate credit card to buy a $350 raffle ticket at a charity event, winning her a $24,000 car, has prompted calls for a review of the council’s expenditure policy.
The Bulletin on Tuesday revealed councillor Brooke Patterson won an MG Hatch on November 21, after using her councillor credit card to pay $350 for a raffle ticket at the Serving Our People charity event.
Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, who was at the same event, used his private credit card to pay for a ticket.
Ms Patterson on Tuesday wrote to Mayor Tom Tate asking the car be returned to the charity — but her win has sparked a debate among councillors and ratepayers about what is appropriate expenditure and use of a council credit card.
Many councillors admitted they were unsure how much money they could claim for raffle tickets.
Community advocate Nikki Archer has asked City chief executive Tim Baker to review the policy.
“I request this policy be reviewed so that no councillors are allowed to purchase raffle tickets in council policy,” she wrote.
“Although the Local Government Act does not explicitly exclude such expenditure, it doesn’t include it either.”
This masthead understands any policy decision on councillor expenditure is made by councillors, not City officers.
“The Councillor Support Policy was reviewed and approved by full council this year. Any amendment would require a resolution of council,” a City spokesperson said.
“Section 13 of the policy outlines the amount councillors are allocated for incidental expenses in a year, with Section 14 providing a list of reasonable incidental expenses.”
The policy states reasonable incidental expenses include working meals and refreshments, presentations, raffle tickets and raffle prizes, and more.
Ms Archer said poor policy decisions had “left council staff, council and councillors in jeopardy”.
“Perhaps council should be more prudent in its policymaking on allowable councillor expenditure so as not to put councillors and staff at risk of breaching policy,” she said.
Business consultant Richard Holliday also called for better disclosure by elected officials.
“This matter could have been solved at the event and why is it three weeks later being discussed,” he wrote, on his Facebook page.
The Office of the CEO earlier responded to questions sent by the Bulletin.
“At the councillor’s request the City provided legal advice in relation to this matter,” a spokesperson said.
“No information has been received that would trigger a referral for an investigation.
“The councillor recommends that the vehicle be given to charity. The appropriate course of action in relation to the vehicle will be considered at a future council meeting.”
Mr Tate on Thursday said a decision by council on the vehicle would be outlined in a mayoral minute at the next full council meeting in the New Year.
Asked for his reaction to Ms Patterson’s win, he replied: “Lucky lady. But the fact it’s council money so it has to be a council decision at the next council meeting in January.”
The car would be donated back to the charity so council was not making any financial gain, he said.
“It’s good she buys raffle tickets in support. It’s like this — they’re allowed to buy, to have support on raffle tickets,” Mr Tate said.
“Most the time you don’t win, it’s not been a problem. I think for 14 years this is the first time we’ve heard a councillor win a major prize.
“But lesson learned — just let the organiser know if you win, it’s a redraw, something like that or just give it back.”
Originally published as Calls for change after councillor wins car after purchasing ticket on council credit card
