Parramatta Council discuss lifting $20k international travel cap

Parramatta councillors will ask for their travel perks to be reinstated following a crackdown on their $20,000 international travel limit.

Parramatta councillors are claiming the expense policy is “unworkable’ asking for the limit for international travel to be lifted.

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Parramatta councillors are seeking to lift a cap put in place to limit their travel expenses.

The $20,000 cap — introduced by the council’s former administrator Amanda Chadwick last year — applies to interstate and overseas travel.

It has been called “unworkable” by independent councillor Lorraine Wearne, who has called for a revision of the policy.

“The (expenses and facilities policy) was prepared in a hurry, it wasn’t thought through and had many flaws,” Cr Wearne said.

“It had errors, inaccuracies and unworkable provisions.

“A revision of this policy isn’t about lining the pockets of councillors, it’s about making sure they have sufficient resources and equipment to do the job, and do it well.”

Former adminsitrator Amanda Chadwick passed the expense policy crackdown after the council amalgamations. Picture: Justin Sanson

The cut to travel perks came after Ms Chadwick claimed councillors ran up as much as $1.5 million a year in unaccountable spending between 2011 and 2016.

Overseas trips cost Parramatta ratepayers $42,305 in 2012-13 and $26,355 in 2013-14, compared with Sydney City councillors who made no claims in 2012-13 and $28,206 the following year.

Removing the cap is a contentious plan, with council insiders claiming the decision has split opinions.

Labor councillor Pierre Esber said he would call for a report on the policy in an attempt to find a “fair and balanced approach to expenses”.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson will be presented with the policy along with the council chamber in the coming months Picture: Joel Carrett

“I actually agree with having overseas travel if it’s something that’s going to be worthwhile to the council,” Cr Esber said. “If someone brings a conference that we can learn from and learn how to be a better council then I think that should be considered.

“A policy like this needs to be flexible, it needs to be fair and balanced.”

The policy document includes the appointment of a speech writer for Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson, in addition to his five full-time staff, and the fit-out of individual offices and cubicles.

The matter will be flagged at an upcoming council meeting, with a review planned for September.