Alice Springs Town Council paying elected members super, Mayor Matt Paterson takes on another role

A Territory council has decided to pay its elected members super, as the Mayor says he’s taking up another job – but how does his pay compare to the rest of the country?

Alice Springs Town Council chambers. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Red Centre mayor says he will “still be at council every single day” despite going back to his construction roots and picking up another job on the side.

It comes as the council he heads passed a motion to allow superannuation to be paid to elected members – from ratepayer money.

Alice Springs Town Council mayor Matt Paterson – a sparky by trade – said he was going back into the construction industry as a part-time project manager, but would stay as mayor.

“It’s a decision I’ve made with my family that I’ll be able to do both jobs, so I’ll still be at council every single day,” he said.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson. Picture: Supplied

“The mayor isn’t remunerated full-time, so I’ve had to also find other forms of remuneration.”

Mr Paterson said “every other elected member on council has another job”.

Currently, deputy mayor Mark Coffey works as a consultant; councillor Allison Bitar runs a burrito store with her husband; councillor Eli Melky manages Alice Springs Plaza Shopping Centre; councillor Michael Liddle works with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress; councillor Kim Hopper runs a hospitality venue; and councillor Marli Banks runs Afghan Traders.

Councillor Gavin Morris has been stood down with full pay from Yipirinya School after he was charged with alleged aggravated assaults on children – something he has pleaded not guilty to in court.

To bost his income, Mr Paterson said instead of choosing to sit on a board, he chose to follow his skill-set in construction.

The announcement comes as Alice Springs Town Council passed a motion at the September 24 ordinary council meeting to pay elected members superannuation – with the super pay coming from ratepayers.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that people who effectively donate their time and are on council don’t receive superannuation,” Mr Paterson said.

“For three years, (council was) my sole source of income – not receiving superannuation is quite ridiculous.”

Mr Paterson first brought up the issue of super for elected members at a Local Government Association of NT (LGANT) meeting in April.

Alice Springs Town Council chambers. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Alice Springs Town Council first debated the prospect of allowing elected members to be paid super at the August 27 ordinary council meeting.

The August debate ended with council choosing to seek advice from accountants and lawyers on the matter.

At the September meeting, council resolved “to be treated as an eligible local governing body under the Taxation Administration Act 1953”, as per the officer’s report.

LGANT president Kon Vatskalis said “without benefits such as super for elected members, the local government sector would struggle to attract good candidates”.

LGANT president and Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis. Picture: Alex Treacy

“LGANT has made representation to the Northern Territory Government and the NT Remuneration Tribunal about superannuation for elected members. Other jurisdictions have frameworks in place to enable this,” he said.

“Council elected members spend a lot of time travelling and engaging with their constituents, often after hours and during the weekend, to carry out their civic duties.”

Local government minister Steve Edgington said the CLP planned to review the Local Government Act.

“This will include ensuring the code of conduct is fit for purpose and that the remuneration for mayors, presidents and councillors is considered in consultation with the Local Government Association of the NT and the Local Government,” he said.

Originally published as Alice Springs Town Council paying elected members super, Mayor Matt Paterson takes on another role