Yarra Ranges ratepayers bear the cost for councillor’s childcare

A COUNCILLOR in Melbourne’s outer east gets $8000 a year to pay for her childcare, but says it’s not enough and wants another $1000. VOTE IN OUR POLL

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YARRA Ranges ratepayers are forking out $8000 to pay for one councillor’s childcare fees — including bills for a private carer — but she says it’s not enough.

Cr Fiona McAllister filed for an extra $1094 in reimbursement for childcare services which was unanimously approved by the council on September 8.

The mother of four, who declared a conflict of interest and did not vote, said that without childcare support she could not be a councillor.

Cr McAllister, a self-employed organisational psychologist whose husband is a lawyer, said their busy schedules meant they often depended on childcare services.

She said she only claimed for times she used services while performing council duties.

“I use carers and creche for my younger children,” Cr McAllister said. “It’s very clearly identified that costs that are claimed are for when I’m doing council business.

“Mostly that is one day a week of childcare which is when I set time aside to take care of council business, plus meetings and events.”

As Cr McAllister receives the Federal Government’s childcare rebate, her daily childcare cost is a little under $50 a child, meaning she claims about $100 a week for childcare on her council allowance and the rest is made up predominantly from the costs of a private carer.

Her two youngest children, aged one and two, require childcare, while her older children, aged 15 and 12, are both at school.

Before 2013 the childcare allowance for Yarra Ranges councillors was capped at $4000, however that was then raised to $8000 at Cr McAllister’s request.

‘I think that was a reflection of circumstance because I don’t think there had been a councillor in the history of the Yarra Ranges who had such young children,” she said.

Cr McAllister said the allowance allowed for a diverse range of councillors which was what the community deserved.

All councillors are also eligible for an extra $8000 for various expenses plus additional travel allowances and a mobile phone, landline and laptop.

Other councils have different childcare allowances: Maroondah caps the allowance at $800 a councillor, while Knox has no cap, but allows $20 an hour of care in compensation.

Municipal Association of Victoria president Cr Bill McArthur said the Local Government Act required councils to adopt and maintain a policy in relation to expenses for councillors and it was “entirely appropriate” for a councillor to be reimbursed for care incurred while carrying out council duties.