Hobart City Council members to consider allowance sacrifice in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

A motion to go before the Hobart City Council will request aldermen and council executives forego a significant chunk of their allowances.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, centre front, and Councillor Zelinda Sherlock, front left, are calling on elected members and council executives to take a 20 per cent cut in their allowances. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

HOBART aldermen and councillors could take a significant pay cut across the next six months if a motion for the reduction of allowances passes council.

In a motion on notice ahead of the Hobart City Council’s April 27 meeting, Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Councillor Zelinda Sherlock requested all elected members give up 20 per cent of their allowances.

The motion also “encourages” council executives, including general manager Nick Heath, to consider similar sacrifices.

If passed, the move would see elected members – who earn $33,173 in allowances annually – give up a little over $3300 across the next six months.

Cr Reynolds and Deputy Mayor Helen Burnet, who earn additional allowances for their positions, would forfeit $11,610 and $5459 respectively.

It comes as elected Adelaide City Council members agreed to a 20 per cent reduction in their allowances during the coronavirus pandemic.

The move also follows the same allowance sacrifice by New Zealand parliamentarians.

“It’s these kind of times where, for leaders, it’s really important to take those leadership steps,” Cr Reynolds said.

“We will be facing serious financial issues, as a city generally, and this is one way of showing solidarity with everyone else that’s feeling financial pain.”

The motion acknowledges HCC is facing a significant financial hit and will need to adapt to a substantial decline in revenue with major cuts in expenditure.

It suggests the pay cut be a voluntary step, as the allowance payable to elected members is set by the State Government.

The motion also outlines that council allowances are an amount elected members could depend on for their weekly household income.

Echoing Cr Reynold’s comments, Cr Sherlock said “those in leadership roles must do what we can compassionately and in solidarity for those less fortunate”.

The move was also welcomed by Alderman Marti Zucco who said he relinquished all his council allowances four weeks ago.

“Up until this point I have given 100 per cent of my allowances away, but I may have to reconsider that over the coming weeks as my income has dramatically changed, as has the earnings of my business partners,” he said.

Ald Zucco said he sacrificed his council allowances on the proviso that the funds were used to assist businesses “at the other end” of the coronavirus pandemic.