3 days Ago By Justin Bianchini
Another Perth council has voted for themselves to receive superannuation, going against the recommendation of their administration. Victoria Park at its meeting on Tuesday night became the second council to adopt the plan after Stirling about 15 months ago. Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon led the change against the the town’s administration which argued it was unclear if using the town’s finances for superannuation for the council would provide public value.
Ms Vernon said the town council had supported super for elected members through its submission on Local Government Act reform in 2021 and to the WA Local Government Association in 2022. “Having superannuation is an important recognition of the amount of time and work involved in the role of being an elected member,” she said. “But for me it’s also one of fairness and equity.
“Elected members of Parliament at both State and Federal government level who represent the same electors that we represent and elected local government members in the States of Victoria, NSW and Queensland all receive superannuation in addition to their elected members allowances. “They do so in the same way that persons appointed in Western Australia to sit on statutory positions such as the JDAP, Local Government Advisory Board, (the) Local Government Standards Panel. “There is in my view no reason why elected members of WA local governments should be treated any differently.
” She said superannuation would also attract more people to invest their time and skills into the role particularly young people, women, and culturally and linguistically diverse people. Cr Claire Anderson said the council could lead change across the sector on what was a “standard entitlement”. The council voted unanimously to support getting paid superannuation.
About $38,000 would have to be included in the budget to cover the super payments. Before the discussion and vote, the mayor and councillors declared they had a financial interest in the matter..
