IPSWICH Mayor Teresa Harding has taken aim at a controversial decision by seven councillors to approve themselves a taxpayer-funded home security allowance of up to $6500 each, referring the matter to Local Government Minister Ann Leahy amid mounting community backlash.
“Having councillors allocate and approve their own financial benefits is something that does not sit well with Ipswich ratepayers,” Mayor Harding said.
The decision has sparked questions about transparency, accountability and whether elected representatives should be able to directly approve financial benefits for themselves without independent oversight or community consultation.
Mayor Harding said she had escalated the matter to the Minister this week after being approached by numerous residents concerned about the process.
The allowance mirrors the home security entitlement available to Queensland MPs, who can access up to $6500 per term.
However, the Mayor pointed out that the parliamentary allowance was determined independently by the Queensland Independent Remuneration Tribunal, rather than approved by politicians themselves.
The proposal was initially raised by Cr Pye Augustine, who sought a report examining existing security measures available to councillors, as well as the legal, governance and financial implications of introducing a home security allowance.
However, the original motion was amended at the Ordinary Council Meeting to instead seek security measures on a similar basis to those offered to Queensland Parliamentarians.
Mayor Harding acknowledged the very real concerns around increasing aggression, threats and intimidation directed at elected representatives, particularly following a shocking incident involving Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.
She said the original proposal to investigate available protections was a reasonable approach to an increasingly serious issue, but questioned the decision to move directly to approving a financial benefit.
The Mayor also questioned why councillors had moved ahead rather than waiting for discussions between the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the State Government about improved security arrangements.
She added that she did not have the authority to overturn or review Council decisions.
