Mackay Councillors get pay rise while cane farmers take a cut

Mackay mayor Greg Williamson’s pay packet will almost pass a huge milestone next year as farmers and canegrowers suffer a 41 per cent income drop. But one councillor has spoken out in defence of the rises. SEE HOW MUCH THEY WILL GET

Cane farmer incomes could decrease 41 per cent in 2024 while Mayor and Councillors get pay rise. Photo: contributed.

Mayors and councillors from across the state of Queensland have been granted a raise in the midst of the cost of living crisis that is leaving many Australian’s giftless this holiday season.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson will be earning $198,182 in 2024, a 2.9 per cent increase from 2023, when he also received a roughly $5600 raise from the year prior.

“These pay rises are handed down by commission,” Deputy Mayor Karen May said.

“They evaluate what is appropriate and fair, we (the council) have nothing to do with it.”

Deputy Mayor Karen May will earn $135,123 in 2024 while farmers face a loss of up to 41 per cent of their income. Picture: Duncan Evans

We reached out to Mayor Williamson’s office for comment.

The pay increases, decided by the Local Government Remuneration Commission, are based on factors such as inflation, wage and pay increases to State Government officials and MPs.

The rises come during a time of financial stress for many Australians.

One in five Queenslanders will work over the Christmas holidays and 70 per cent of respondents to a survey performed by RACQ, mentioned feeling increased stress and anxiety about spending these summer holidays.

Compounding this is an October release from the Federal Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics which has forecast that because of a number of conditions cash incomes for sugarcane and cattle farmers could fall by up to 41 per cent.

“At a national level, average farm cash income for broadacre farms (cane and cattle farms) is expected to decrease 41 per cent in 2023-2024,” Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said.

This decrease reflects a return after 2 record years to what incomes were like during the 2020-2021.

“Livestock farms will be affected by large decreases in prices for beef cattle,” Dr Greenville said.

While lack of demand for beef is a domestic issue, cane farmers are facing pressures on the international stage as India dumps millions of tonnes of state subsidised sugar onto the world market.

“Sugar mill input costs are through the roof,” Cr Martin Bella, a sugar cane farmer and Mackay Regional Councillor, said.

“To be fair, you can earn more money out at the mines, I earned more at my physio practice.”

“You can never not be a councillor,” said Cr Bella. Photo: contributed

Martin Bella has served two terms as a councillor for Mackay and defends the pay hike.

“Councillors are on call seven days a week,” Cr Bella said, highlighting the time commitment council work requires.

“Taking four, eight or even 12 years out of a career makes it bloody hard to go back.

“I’d have to study to get recertified to return to my physio practice.”

All council members will benefit from a 2.9 per cent raise in 2024 with the Mayor earning $198,182, his deputy earning $135,123 and regional councillors earning $117,109.