WITH THE resignation of Councillor David Cullen and the resulting vacancy of the Division 4 seat, residents have been left with more questions than answers on the true costs of our elected councillors, and if they are worth every dollar earned.
As your true local newspaper, Local Ipswich News has taken a closer look to show readers the current situation when it comes to our elected representatives’ pay cheques.
At June 2024, the councillors collectively, averaged $144,356.48 in remuneration and expenses including travel costs and attending events.
These costs were led by Mayor Teresa Harding in the top role with $29,078.57 for the month, followed by Councillor Marnie Doyle ($18,045.37), Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic ($15,282.68) and Councillor Andrew Antoniolli ($14,416.68).
That cost breakdown across the month consists of remuneration, superannuation, general expenses, transport allowance, travel and accommodation, training registrations, office supplies and entertainment expenses.
As of July 1, the annual remuneration for Mayor Harding was $225,206 for Deputy Mayor Jonic $153,145 and $135,123 for all other councillors – an annual total of more than $1.3 million, before expenses and travel costs are considered.
In comparison, the Premier of Queensland is set to receive a payrise in July next year which will climb to $476,323 while the Prime Minister’s annual salary sits at $587,000.
Councillors are provided with facilities and equipment and reimbursed for costs incurred for legitimate business expenses as well as the costs of representing the city in their elected role.
Additional organisational costs of $32,783.57 primarily for professional development, insurance and councillor community engagement activities that are not directly attributed to an individual were also incurred during the 2022-23 financial year.
Facilities provided include office accommodation at 1 Nicholas St, access to other council-owned facilities for meetings, administrative support and reasonable call and data costs associated with council smart phones.
Councillor remuneration fixed by the Local Government Remuneration Commission is all inclusive and no additional remuneration is payable for sick leave, annual leave, or any other leave type.
For the first two years of last term, the council voted not to receive the pay rise set for most other Local Government Areas, while the community was grappling with the impacts of Covid-19.
The Councillors of the last term were paid as follows for the 2022-2023 financial year
Mayor Teresa Harding
Remuneration $212,184
Super Contribution $25,462
Total Renumeration $237,646
Expenses and Reimbursements $22,934
Transportation Allowance $22,500
Sheila Ireland Division 1
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $11,179
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Jacob Madsen Division 1/Deputy Mayor*
Renumeration $141,458
Super Contribution $16,975
Total Renumeration $158,433
Expenses and Reimbursements $7,075
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Nicole Jonic Division 2
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $9,973
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Paul Tully Division 2
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $14,269
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Marnie Doyle Division 3
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $11,007
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Andrew Fechner Division 3
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $9,969
Transportation Allowance $9,750
Kate Kunzelmann Division 4
Renumeration $127,309
Super Contribution $15,277
Total Renumeration $142,586
Expenses and Reimbursements $3,765
Transportation Allowance $19,500
Russell Milligan Division 4/Deputy Mayor*
Renumeration $130,118
Super Contribution $15,614
Total Renumeration $145,732
Expenses and Reimbursements $11,484
Transportation Allowance $19,500
