Mayor labels pay rise vote criticism ‘petty and childish politics’
NORTHERN Beaches Mayor Michael Regan has been criticised for using his casting vote to push through a pay rise for himself and councillors.
Manly
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NORTHERN Beaches Mayor Michael Regan used his casting vote to give himself and 14 other councillors a pay rise at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
After hotly contested debate the votes were locked at seven-all due to the absence of Greens Cr Natalie Warren, meaning the mayor made the final decision.
Councillors will receive about $700 extra in allowances next financial year as a result, the mayor will get about $3000 — the maximum increase allowed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
Those against the pay bump argued the councillors needed to take a hit due the recent decision to put a rate rise of 2.3 per cent on public exhibition — also signed off with Cr Regan’s casting vote.
He was labelled Rate Rise Regan by his opponents after the budget debate.
“We have gone from Rate Rise Regan to Wage Rise Regan,” Liberal Cr Rory Amon said.
“I think it is disappointing that we so easily take money form ratepayers but when it comes to our own pockets we don’t adopt the same rigour.
“Our fee increase is greater than wage growth of private and public sector employees and is well above CPI (consumer price index).”
Cr Regan responded to the criticism saying he was “not interested in petty and childish politics”.
“I will get on with the business of putting this organisation together,” he said.
“I value the office of mayor and councillors future and present and the work the majority of us do and I think it is important that we don’t devalue that with cheap politicking.”
However, those in favour argued the councillors were underpaid and the positions should pay more in a bid to attract the best candidates.
Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham on Tuesday defended the proposed pay rise telling the Manly Daily her colleagues were already paid less than the minimum wage.
“I work 35-40 hours a week, that equates to about $14 per hour,” she said.
“The minimum wage is $18.29, we are earning less than the minimum wage, yet we are responsible for a $400 million budget.”
She also pointed to the workload on the mayoral position, which after Tuesday’s meeting takes home more than $113,000.
She said it does not include annual leave or superannuation, and serves the same space as three and a half state MPs.
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“It was a waste of council’s time, debating over whether we should pay $13,000 a year for 15 people,” she said after the meeting.
“We had a huge 450-page agenda with some very serious matters on it, which demonstrates the calibre of work we are now expected to handle and the responsibilities we are expected to face as councillors.
“Being a councillor is a great privilege, it is frustrating when your time is wasted on petty matters.”