Cumberland City councillor Ola Hamed being investigated over expenses
A Western Sydney Labor councillor is being officially investigated amid allegations the mother of two was over-claiming thousands of dollars in childcare fees.
NSW
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Western Sydney ratepayers have sunk the boot into a Western Sydney councillor being investigated for overcharging ratepayers for childcare expenses.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed Cumberland Labor councillor Ola Hamed is subject to an official investigation amid accusations she overcharged thousands of dollars on her childcare entitlement.
Ms Hamed denies the allegations, saying “all claims have been in accordance with the policy and approved by council on the basis of civic duties I was performing at the time”.
Cumberland City Council allows elected officials to bill ratepayers up to $5000 “for attendance at official business, plus reasonable travel from the principal place of residence”.
In a series of heated emails to the mother of two and other elected officials, ratepayers said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations against Ms Hamed.
“I have to work a full-time job to pay for my children’s childcare and I pay my council rates; why should I not get reimbursed for my kids to be taken care of?” a woman who called herself a local Granville resident said.
“Seriously, is this where the community’s money goes to fund the counsellors personal expenses?.”
Another local resident said: “Please ensure the investigation is carried out thoroughly and any necessary referrals to external bodies are carried out accordingly, and ensure that this will not become yet another tarnish upon the record of local government in the state.”
On March 18 Ms Hamed attended a 31-minute council meeting.
Internal council documents reveal Ms Hamed charged $150 for five hours of childcare for two children.
On February 19 those same documents show she charged $150 for five hours of care. The council meeting ran for one hour and 45 minutes.
On November 6 last year the council meeting went for two hours and 56 minutes. She charged the council for six hours of care, costing $180.
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Ms Hamed lives about 10 minutes away from the council chambers at Merrylands.
“To insinuate that carers allowance is only relevant to time spent in the chamber is false and misleading because the policy allows for any time spent on ‘official business’,” she said last week.
“Official business does not mean time spent in chamber. I never claim travel.
“Claiming childcare while attending a workshop, community meeting or council events all constitute official business.”
Ratepayers in the Western Sydney council area have seen rates increase by 9.9 per cent between 2017 and 2019, according to the state government’s Your Council website.
The council’s operating performance ratio – which measures a council’s achievement in containing operating expenditure within operating income – has been below par since 2017.
Mayor Steve Christou said the council has received several complaints by “concerned residents” about the investigation into Ms Hamed’s expenses.
“I want to reassure residents that we will ensure an open and transparent process throughout this investigation and that ratepayer funds are being used appropriately,” Mr Christou said.
“If during our investigation, we identify any anomalies of concern we will refer the matter to the appropriate authorities including the Office of Local Government for further investigation.”
NEW INVESTIGATION
Ola Hamed has denied lobbying staff over her parents’ pergola that her council had ordered to be torn down.
Cumberland City Council is investigating how the Labor councillor’s parents got a four-month extension to comply with council orders when ratepayers get one month at best.
Council inspectors went to the Granville property around April this year discovering a 60sq m “large roofed pergola”, internal council documents reveal, adding in May and July Ms Hamed then allegedly contacted staff on behalf of her parents.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said the council will be looking into the matter.
“I am very concerned that a four-month compliance period was offered,” he said.
Ms Hamed said she has “fully declared all pecuniary interests and also reminded officers of the relationship about this matter”.
“As a councillor I am obliged to help residents,” she said. “There is nothing unusual here. They are still required to demolish the pergola which has been there for 15 years. They intend to comply fully. This is yet again another scurrilous politically motivated rumour.”