Paul Hogan OAM is calling for MidCoast Council administrator John Turner to not allow “unelected swill” to attend The Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Wollongong in October.
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The former Greater Taree City Council mayor is questioning why members of the MidCoast Council Local Representation Committee (MCLRC) are attending the conference from October 16-18 and describes it as “a great waste of time and ratepayers money” and tips it will cost a “minimum of $15,000”.
“I would like it explained to me how unelected swill can receive money from MidCoast Council to attend a conference where they have absolutely no say, nothing to do at all. The administrator is the only person who has a vote. To me it is just a free lunch,” Mr Hogan said.
The conference is described as “the pre-eminent event of the local government year where local councillors come together to share ideas and debate issues” according to Local Government NSW. All councils, including newly merged councils, were invited to submit a motion to be considered at the conference by August 22. MidCoast Council did not submit a motion and Mr Turner will be the only MidCoast Council representative able to vote during the formal stages of the conference.
The MCLRC members set to attend the conference with Mr Turner and interim general manager, Glenn Handford are Kathryn Bell, Leigh Vaughan, Katheryn Smith, Len Roberts, Jan McWilliams, Carol McCaskie and Karen Hutchinson.
“John Turner shouldn’t allow it. Why are we spending this money? They have no voting rights.”
Mr Hogan contends there is less expenditure transparency since the amalgamation of Greater Taree City Council with Great Lakes and Gloucester Shire Councils.
“Previously it would all have to be approved by the council and it was all put out there for the whole community to see what was happening and where the expense was occurring. There is far less transparency now.”
MidCoast Council this week confirmed it had paid the conference registration fee of $899 per person and would also cover the additional $55 for each delegate who chose to attend the NSW Reconciliation Breakfast and a further $55 for the ALGWA Breakfast. It would also cover the $154 conference gala dinner for partners of each delegate but advised that no MCLRC members had indicated they would bring a partner to the conference. Accommodation and travel expenses would also be paid by council.
According to council, “the three merged councils had a budget for councillors professional development which includes conference fees, training fees, accommodation, travel – this budget was utilised for the Local Government NSW Annual Conference.” It also advised that “it is likely that members of the MCLRC may car pool and access council vehicles” to travel to the conference.