Mayor’s pay rise knocked back

Russel Guse | 4th February 2010

BANANA Shire Mayor John Hooper’s plans for “a well-deserved pay rise” that would have seen him pocket a $91,000 annual salary have been thwarted by his council, with only Deputy Mayor Maureen Clancy voting for the increase at last week’s meeting.

Cr Hooper told Central Telegraph he felt the $10,000 increase from his current $81,000 wage was fair.

The increase was recommended by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal, but Councillors David Snell, Warren Middleton, Pat Brennan, Nev Ferrier and Vaughn Becker all rejected the move.

Cr Brennan said he thought it was a good idea to show some restraint.

“Everyone’s doing it tough,” Cr Brennan said.

“We knew what the wage was when we were elected.”

Cr Snell said for councillors to get a remuneration increase at this time would not look good.

“No matter what you get paid you do the job to the best of your ability,” Cr Snell said.

Cr Becker said he thought a rise was not appropriate in the current financial climate.

“The State Government set up a tribunal to set Councillors’ wages then passed it back to Councils to vote on the actual amount within a range.

“If they wished to have the power to set the wages then they should attend to the whole matter and not duck for cover and dodge the flack by passing it back to us.

“They should set the wages and legislate the actual amount,” Cr Becker said.

Mayor Hooper said he felt it was fair as council had rejected a rise last year.

“I believe council has achieved in a good number of areas, the tribunal recommended it and we didn’t rise it last year; so it was fair to accept it now.

“It’s never been about the money,” Cr Hooper said.

Council did vote for a slight increase that will see the Mayor’s salary go to $83,546, Deputy Mayor Clancy’s go form $52,500 to $54,174 and councillors’ wages from $43,030 to $44,384.

As part of the amalgamation process, all councillors received an extra amalgamation payment for more work, which was reduced.

The Mayor’s was reduced from $5690 to $3700, Deputy Mayor from $3440 to $2300 and councillors from $2850 to $1900.

Doing all the figures, Cr Hooper will see $656 more, Deputy Mayor Clancy $534 and councillors $404.