LEGISLATON designed to tackle local government waste and rorts has passed the state’s Upper House with full crossbench support.
The State Opposition’s private members bill will outlaw “extravagant” perks for council chief executives.
The Local Government (Ratepayer Protection and Related Measures) Amendment Bill outlaws extravagant perks reduces council waste and places downward pressure on council rates.
If passed in the state’s House of Assembly, the legislation will crack down on interstate and overseas travel, establish an independent Local Government Commissioner and compel council members and staff to publicly reveal expenses and credit card use.
Labor MLC and lead speaker Clare Scriven said the bill would provide greater oversight of council budgeting, greater disclosure of council expenses and performance and greater and more effective consultation between councils and ratepayers.
In response to concerns around creating undue administrative burdens, Ms Scriven said the bill would empower ratepayers and foster effective councils.
“The whole purpose of this bill is to increase accountability and accountability is increased by regular reporting in places that are accessible by ratepayers and accessible by other interested parties,” she said.
“Thus by ensuring that is published on a regular basis will actually improve the level of accountability and transparency, which is something the government has stated it is committed to.”
Wattle Range chief executive Ben Gower said a number of the proposed measures, including transparency with budgets and expenditure, were already implemented by council.
He conceded the requirements under Labor’s proposals would be an administrative burden, saying “if that is the cost of transparency to ratepayers, I do not have any issue with it”.
The bill will progress to the State Government-controlled lower house, with Trade Minister David Ridgway telling the Legislative Council the government “will seek to take a more holistic approach” to the bill in the House of Assembly.
