Deputy mayor Leticia Laing stands up to criticism about childcare reimbursement

A deputy mayor has defended her right to use council reimbursements to cover childcare costs.

A deputy mayor wants mothers to be better supported to take seats at government tables as she defends claiming reimbursement for her childcare arrangements.

The latest councillor expenses report for the period November to June revealed Bass Coast Shire Council’s deputy mayor, Leticia Laing, was reimbursed $1418.86 for childcare expenses.

She had the third highest reimbursement of all nine councillors.

Cr Laing, who is the only female councillor with young children, responded to recent criticism about her expenses by encouraging discussions around privilege and accessibility in the workforce.

She said she was aware councillors had to be “really careful” about how they used ratepayers’ money, but she wasn’t doing anything wrong by seeking reimbursement for childcare.

“It is really disappointing for me to have to constantly justify myself and what I do.”

Cr Laing said she was aware councillors have to be “really careful” about how they used ratepayers money but she wasn’t doing anything wrong by being reimbursed for childcare

“People who have really diverse backgrounds and life experiences, we all deserve a seat at council because that’s how the community gets better,” she said.

She said she “deserves a seat at the table” and childcare enabled her to take that seat.

Councillors are allowed to have childcare reimbursed as a part of the local government act, which also covers councillors with family members that have different care needs.

She added reimbursement was based on “reason” and expenses could only be claimed for the time required to do their job.

“I am proud to have children,” Cr Laing said.

“Barriers to accessing childcare is one of the reasons women can’t contribute as effectively to the workforce. The supports that are there for working women aren’t enough and when they are there we feel like we have to justify using them.”

Deputy Mayor Leticia Laing requires childcare for her children, 11, eight and six in order to serve her community the best she can.

She explained she knew some women were scared to claim childcare reimbursements “for the fear of being attacked”.

While conscious of rising rates and the the cost of living, she said she would not be able to deliver the same outcomes for her community without the reimbursements.

“The systems have been created without our needs in mind so I would like it if people could put themselves in our shoes and understand that councillors are working really hard to bring the best to their communities,” she said.

“I try and save those costs as much as possible but sometimes I need them to do the best job I can for the people I am representing.”

Cr Laing is passionate about getting more women into government and said conversations which target women and make them feel bad for using supports can be very “off putting” for those thinking about it.

She is running a forum to encourage women to learn more about being in council as a way to mitigate this.

“Hopefully it will inspire women to run for council, in our council and across Victoria people who identify as women are underrepresented,” she said.

Childminding will be provided at the Women Leading Locally Forum, in line with Cr Laing’s goal to make government more accessible.

Mayor Michael Whelan is supportive of getting more women into seats of government and attended the Advancing Women in Leadership Summit on Thursday.

“We spoke of the barriers to women’s representation, in particular the level of scrutiny that applies to women that is not applied to men,” he said.

He said more diverse people needed to be encouraged into local government and council should be able to provide the support to do that.

“Without supports local Government won’t get the benefit of alternative voices and experiences and can look somewhat homogeneous,” he said.

Other female councillors have come under scrutiny for being reimbursed for childcare recently, with a Yarra Ranges councillor coming under fire for spending over $8000 on childcare.