Maribyrnong councillor Sarah Carter spends $100 a week on phone bill
MARIBYRNONG councillors are claiming a whopping $1000 in expenses every week. Here’s what they’re spending ratepayers’ money on.
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COUNCILLORS in Melbourne’s west are racking up close to $1000 a week in expense claims on phones, child care and training.
Figures show from May to July Maribyrnong’s seven councillors claimed a whopping $12,577 in out-of-pocket expenses — more than double that of neighbouring Brimbank.
Claims included $3635 on mobile phones, $1622 on child care and $3450 on training and development, data from the Councillor Support and Expenses Report showed.
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Deputy Mayor Sarah Carter had claimed $1482.07 on mobile data, which equates to about $494 per month, or $114 per week, on mobile phone usage alone.
Others claimed between $301 and $427 for phone usage during the same period.
Cr Carter told the Leader her rocketing phone bill was due to international travel for her full-time job.
She said the council had purchased a Telstra travel pass which worked out to be $30 per day in eligible countries.
“I like to stay on top of local issues, emails and be at the ready to support the Mayor as required,” Cr Carter said.
The Local Government Act allows councillors to be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred while carrying out council duties.
Corporate services director Celia Haddock said all mobile and data plans were sourced by officers according to “strict procurement guidelines”.
Maribyrnong’s councillor expenses were more than double that of Brimbank which was $5,466 between 11 councillors, around double that of Hobsons Bay, which was $6584 for seven councillors in the same period and higher than Mooney Valley, which claimed $11,862 between nine councillors.
CONCERNS ABOUT SPENDING OF RATEPAYERS’ MONEY
Ratepayers Victoria vice-president Frank Sullivan said he had major concerns in regards to Melbourne councillors spending money irresponsibly.
“There is a general problem in Victorian councils on how they are spending ratepayers’ money,” he said.
Maribyrnong ratepayer Peter Gallagher launched a petition online last week which called for an urgent review of the council’s rates and expenditure.
“They have a money tree in their backyard — and that money tree is you and I,” Mr Gallagher said.
“The wild and reckless spending that council and councillors approve has to cease.”
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