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Clr. Parker will again attempt transparency on Councillor's Expenses
On three occasions in the past year, Clr. Parker has attempted to extract information about the cost of Overseas and Domestic Trips by individual Councillors and senior staff Officers. Each time, motions have been defeated by the local Labor Party Councillors who caucus on all items before Council.
"The ALP gained control of Bankstown City Council in 1995, and during this time, I have attempted to get this information in other forms. It is very difficult being a voice of opposition, because no matter what angle I have sought - on each occasion I have been denied the information, by the local ALP Councillors using their numbers." Clr. Parker said.
"The total cost of the trips, I know, is disguised in many different sub-accounts. All I want, is for a file to tabulate the total cost to the Community for each Councillor." clr. Parker continued.
"I am somewhat suspicious, as I hope you would agree, that if the local Labor Party Councillors will not support a request for this information...
"What do they have to hide?"
"On Tuesday night 27 August 2002, I am trying for a fourth time. My aim is to create a system whereby a report detailing the total expenses (not only including trips) incurred by Council for each individual Councillor and Senior Management at the end of each financial year be submitted to Council."
Clr. Parker has submitted three motions in the past year and they are as follows:
Third Attempt:
The motion put forward by Clr. Parker at the Ordinary Meeting of Bankstown City Council on Tuesday 23 April 2002 was as follows:
"That a report be requested from the General Manager regarding overseas and domestic trips by Councillors and Senior Officers paid for by Bankstown City Council from September 1995 to 31 March 2002 which tables the following:
The motion was defeated.
Second Attempt:
The motion put forward by Clr. Parker at the Ordinary Meeting of Bankstown City Council on Tuesday 20 November 2001 was as follows:
"That in additon to information provided by the General Manager to Clr. Barrett and myself on details of Councillor Trips undertaken from 1994 to date, the Generall Manager provide a further report detailing the names of Councillors, Staff and others who travelled on each trip listed in the previously provided information."
A division was called for by Councillors Parker & Barrett.
For: Councillors Barrett, Parker, Abrahams, Tran, Taylor.
Against: Councillors: Westwood, McLaughlin, Hill, Stromborg, Winterbottom, Blake.
The motion was defeated.
First Attempt:
The motion put forward by Clr. Parker at the Ordinary Meeting of Bankstown City Council on Tuesday 24 July 2001 was as follows:
"That the General Manager reports to the next Ordinary Meeting of Council, details of all trips involving Councillors from October 1995 to present time, the report to include the following information:
1. The destination including intrastate, interstate and overseas?
The motion was amended Clr.Westwood/ Clr.Winterbottom that:
1. The General Manager provide Councillors Parker & Barrett with details ofall approved budget allocations, as are available and relate to Councillors travel since 1984.
2. The information should include allocationsfrom within the Sister City Committee budget as well as allocations to the schedule of Councillors attendance at Conferences & Seminars since its commencement.
3. The General Manager should also identify any attendance at a Conference & Seminar not identifiedon the published annual schedule.
The amendment became the motion and on being put was declared carried and became the resolution of the Council.
Written by M.Parker, 70 Anderson Avenue, Panania 2213. |
