Greater Dandenong Cr Angela Long asks ratepayers to pay legal bill
A Greater Dandenong councillor has been criticised for asking ratepayers to pay thousands for her private legal expenses.
South East
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A long-serving Greater Dandenong councillor is under fire for asking ratepayers to pick up the bill for her private legal expenses.
Cr Angela Long confirmed she was the councillor who had made the claim, but did not reveal what it was in relation to or how much money she was asking to be reimbursed for.
“It’s a confidential item going up to council on Monday night,” she said.
“I won’t be in the room as I have a conflict of interest.
“It’s up to council to make that decision and I have to abide with whatever decision they make.”
Leader understands the amount is close to $9000 and is in relation to legal action Cr Long took against a resident last year, after receiving a phone call that caused her significant stress.
Leader understands Cr Long engaged a solicitor to represent her and is seeking reimbursement of those costs.
She believes the matter is council related as she would not have received the call if she had not been a councillor.
Councillors will consider the motion behind closed doors at Monday night’s council meeting.
Ratepayers Victoria spokesman Dean Hurlston said it was a significant amount of money
and “not for ratepayers to pay”.
“She can ask the councillors to pay it but I certainly think if they were to agree it would be a dereliction of their duty, it’s not their responsibility,” he said.
Mr Hurlston said the item shouldn’t be confidential.
“If she does want money paid by ratepayers it should be public,” he said.
“Once you ask for a dollar of public money it should be public.
“There has been a lot of discussion about junkets and spending of ratepayers’ money in the media at the moment and I’d urge all councillors and executives to really think carefully about the fact we’re in a cost of living crisis and council expenses need to reflect that mentality.”
According to the council agenda the report relating to the item is confidential under section 3 (1)(f) of the Local Government Act 2020 because it contains personal information which, if released, would result in the unreasonable disclosure of information about certain people and their personal affairs.
