Frankston councillor Darrel Taylor costs $46,997 in expenses over two financial years
A COUNCILLOR in Melbourne’s southeast racked up almost $50,000 in expenses over two years — nearly three times more than the next biggest claim.
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A FRANKSTON councillor has cost ratepayers almost $50,000 in expenses on top of his annual $92,000 mayoral salary and council car.
Former mayor Darrel Taylor’s expenses over a two-year period included more than $11,000 for babysitters and after-school care, more than $5000 for entertainment, about $8800 for conferences and training, and more than $6600 for his phone bills.
The figures could make Cr Taylor one of Melbourne’s most expensive councillors.
This month the Herald Sun reported that Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle claimed $36,225 over a 15-month period.
Last year a Yarra Ranges councillor claimed more than $9000 in child care expenses.
Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said the expenses — almost the equivalent of the average family’s annual income — were outrageous.
In Parliament, Mr Edbrooke challenged Cr Taylor to justify costing the city $46,995 in the past two years — three times more than the next highest claim by a Frankston councillor.
But Cr Taylor defended his expense bill, saying: “They were legitimate expenses. I never broke any rules.”
Cr Taylor, who was mayor in 2014, said the data was unfair because it did not provide expense claims from previous mayors so that a comparison could be made.
Cr Taylor said his wife worked and a babysitter and after-school care were essential. “Without that I would not have been able to be mayor. You have to be effective in your role and there are expenses … I don’t believe mine were high. Other mayors have claimed child care expenses.”
The only other claim for child care during the two years was $625 from Cr Sandra Mayer, who was mayor in 2013 and again in 2015. Her total expense bill for the past two financial years was $16,558.
FRANKSTON COUNCILLOR EXPENSES 2013-14
FRANKSTON COUNCILLOR EXPENSES 2014-15
On his equipment expenses, Cr Taylor said he had been provided with a new phone and iPad as well as repairs to his mayoral chair.
Frankston’s policy on councillor expense entitlements does not allow for caps on claims.
The expenses reimbursement policy was adopted in 1998 and has not been updated since 2004. Cr Taylor’s expenses have dropped dramatically this year.
From July 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, his expenses totalled $3437.