Manningham Mayor Paul McLeish to earn more than $100,000 under proposed wage increase

A mayor in Melbourne’s east could be set for a $20,000 bump in his wage taking it to more than $100,000, while his fellow councillors are also looking at a nice little jump — and they are the ones who get to vote on it.

Manningham councillors will vote tonight on a proposed wage increase. Picture: Steve Tanner.

A mayor in Melbourne’s east could get an almost $20,000 pay rise — and he gets to vote on whether it’s approved.

Manningham Mayor Paul McLeish will pocket $100,434 this year, while the eight other councillors will receive $31,444 each — a jump of $5000 if they sign off on the rise, which has been approved by Local Government Minister Adam Somyurek, at tonight’s council meeting.

Manningham Mayor Paul McLeish will get a 19 per cent pay rise under the proposed policy, and earn over $100,000 this year. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Institute Of Public Affairs spokesman Evan Mulholland said the proposed wage increase should be used to make life easier for ratepayers instead.

“The council should be reducing rates for ratepayers, these entitled councillors are pocketing the extra rates for themselves,” Mr Mulholland said.

“Manningham Council should deliver a rate cut instead of giving themselves pay rises”

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The council has noted the wage increase “can be accommodated within existing resources” in the meeting agenda and would be effective from December 1, 2019.

If passed tonight, the proposed increase will be put out for community consultation with a decision to be made at the council’s April 28 meeting.

Cr McLeish has been contacted for comment.

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