Port Phillip councillor claims more than $12k for babysitting bill

A Port Phillip councillor has claimed more than $12,000 in childcare expenses in a year. He says he couldn’t do his job without it and the council agrees. What do you think? VOTE IN OUR POLL

One Port Phillip councillor has claimed a whopping $12,000 in childcare expenses.

Port Phillip ratepayers are footing a hefty bill of more than $12,000 for a councillor’s yearly babysitting bill.

But Cr Ogy Simic says he, and other councillors with young children, wouldn’t be able to do the job properly without the extra stipend.

Port Phillip councillors are paid an annual allowance of $33,491 and are eligible to be reimbursed for “reasonable” out of pocket expenses such as travel, training and childcare.

Cr Simic claimed $12,302 for child minding costs last financial year — about 28 hours a week of care based on the national average hourly rate.

According to the VicCouncils website, administered by the Municipal Association of Victoria, councillors are expected to spend 10-20 hours each week on council duties, including attending meetings and briefings.

Cr Ogy Simic

Cr Simic told the Leader having child minding fees paid for helped to remove barriers for some people to become councillors.

“The childcare allowance assists in enabling wide participation (on council) from members of the community who may otherwise be disadvantaged, such as young people and women with young children,” he said.

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Mayor Dick Gross said Cr Simic’s expenses had been verified and complied with the council’s expense reimbursement policy.

He said childcare costs were included in the State Government’s local council reimbursement policy “as a minimum tool of support that should be provided by councils to ensure that all councillors have an opportunity to serve on council”.

“This is fair, enhances the diversity of representation and maximises the opportunity of elected councillors to contribute,” he said.

Cr Gross said receipts or tax invoices were required for councillors to be eligible for reimbursement and they must also keep a diary of their council-related attendances at community events.

“Council officers match all claims for reimbursement against the times/events attended,” he said.

There is no cap on the amount a councillor can claim for travel or childcare costs incurred in the course of their duties.

Training and conference claims are capped at $10,000 per year for mayors and $6000 per year for councillors — or $24,000 spread across a four-year term.

Cr Bernadene Voss claimed $4311 for childcare last financial year, while Cr Marcus Pearl claimed $2344.

At a meeting last week, the majority of councillors voted against a review which could have seen a cap introduced.

Only Crs Pearl, Gross and Andrew Bond voted in favour of the review.