The announcement of tighter controls for council’s spending on credit cards is sensible policy on the first read.
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The tighter controls were announced last week following allegations that up to $1 million had been spend on a council credit card by a former general manager at Hay Shire Council.
No doubt an investigation into whether this money was spent and used within the rules is a worthwhile idea.
Some of those tighter controls for councillors have already been included in the model code of conduct which has been adopted by several councils before it’s been prescribed, including at Griffith City Council.
This Tuesday, Griffith council is set to reveal the allowances which are paid with ratepayers’ money on behalf of councillors.
The spending has been reported to the audit, risk and improvement committee, which has been meeting in Griffith since May this year, and this week will be the first time it’s publicly available.
Creating the audit, risk and improvement committee is also part of the NSW Minister for Local Government’s response to accusations of impropriety at Hay.
No doubt the report which will tabled in Griffith will be worthwhile reading and will also be well read in the NSW Office of Local Government.
No doubt the state’s local government minister Gabrielle Upton has seen the reports about credit card spending at Hay and has taken the opportunity ensure councils are spending money appropriately.
But perhaps there’s worthwhile questions to be asked of the state government while we’re worried about transparency and government spending.
Perhaps we could ask why the government is talking up tighter credit card controls which some councils like Griffith, have already been adopted?
The real question though is why state governments continue to demand higher standards from local government but somehow manage to avoid applying those standards on themselves?
I’m sure there’s plenty of people who would like to see a clear report outlining the credit card spending by state MPs.
If it’s good enough for councillors who can earn up to $19,700 a year, plus expenses, why isn’t it good enough for parliamentarians who earn at least $165,066 along with up to $140,165 in allowances.
