The Herald Sun has reported today on some of the cost of hypocrisy that abounds the halls of the City Council.
Whilst the article in the Herald-sun highlights some of the issues surrounding the hypocrisy of the City Council there are still a number of undisclosed issues and expenses that the City Council refuses to release in its ongoing effort to avoid accountability.
The City of Melbourne in addition to paying the out of pocket costs occurred by City Councillors is paying also the personal costs associated with Cr So and Singers use of their Council funded limousines.
The Council is picking up the tab for the costs associated with Cr Singers (Disgraced Councillor without portfolio) private use of his Council funded limousine. Under Australian Taxation requirements and normal circumstances Cr Singer would be required to maintain a drivers log listing the KM and petrol consumption and the purpose of the journey. we understand that Cr Singer does not kept such a log or if he does he has not provided a copy to the City Council. In the absence of a drivers log Cr Singer would be required to prorate private expenses and repay the City Council for that part which is considered private. A similar option existing with Council funded mobile telephones. Again Cr Singer does not rebate the Council for that proportional that is considered private use.
These costs are above and beyond what is authorised by the Local Government Act.
Under the Local Government Act/Regulations the Council can pay the out-of-pocket costs born by Councillors that occurred whilst fulfilling their duties of a Councillor. there is no provision for the Council to pay additional private personal costs. Cr Singer effectively is stealing from ratepayers.
On top of that Councillors and senior staff enjoy other undisclosed financial benefits including free inner city parking, free internal catering and free booze..
The associated costs are not included in the Council's misleading published expense statements.
The Council does not pay the Fringe Benefits Tax on these perks (Even though they are liable)
When will the City of Melbourne stop ripping off ratepayers and begin to provide honest, open and transparent government? When will it inside the costs associated with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousine and costs associated with free parking, internal catering and free booze?
As long as Councillors and Staff continue putting their noses in the trough ratepayers will foot the bill.
Do as I say, not as I drive
Jen Kelly, city editor
07apr06
MELBOURNE City Council has been accused of hypocrisy over its war on cars amid revelations it forks out millions on its own fleet.
The council's anti-car tactics, including parking fee hikes and a proposed 40km/h CBD limit, are being called into question in light of its addiction to motoring.
Its draft transport strategy calls for bus-only lanes in Queen and Lonsdale streets, priority for trams and huge spending on cyclists.
But the council's spending on its own cars includes:
$1.4 MILLION for capital costs in 2004-05 for its fleet, including two executive vehicles for new staff.
$828,000 for operating costs in 2004-05, including repairs, accidents, CityLink tolls and registration and $259,000 for fuel.
MORE than $100,000 a year to run Lord Mayor John So's chauffeur-driven Holden Caprice, with personalised plates LM000, including the driver's wages.
$16,440 a year for Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer's Holden Statesman, which he also uses for trips to Morwell, where he has a second home and works at a law firm.
THE other seven councillors claimed $13,280 for "local travel" expenses in the 13 months to December, which covers taxis, parking fees and CityLink tolls.
THE fleet of more than 100 vehicles clocked up 1.9 million kilometres in 12 months, despite the municipality covering only 36.3sq km.
One of the council's staunchest critics, Anthony van der Craats, said the anti-car crackdown reeked of hypocrisy.
"They should practise what they preach," he said.
"It's a bit like a chain-smoker telling others to give up smoking. The Lord Mayor does not need a limo, he can catch a taxi or take public transport.
"It is hypocritical for the council to on one hand advocate citizens give up their cars while at the same time they zealously hold on to their free car park and the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor continue to drive council-funded six-cylinder petrol guzzlers."
Mr van der Craats, who operates a website holding the council to account, called on both to give up their cars.
"If they are sincere about a car-free future then prove it and give up the limos," he said.
"Stop paying for staff cars as part of their remuneration package and withdraw free car parking.
"Buy them a public transport travel pass. At least they will begin to realise that Melbourne needs more than a $750,000 tourist bus."
Do as I say, not as I drive
Jen Kelly, city editor
07apr06
MELBOURNE City Council has been accused of hypocrisy over its war on cars amid revelations it forks out millions on its own fleet.
The council's anti-car tactics, including parking fee hikes and a proposed 40km/h CBD limit, are being called into question in light of its addiction to motoring.
Its draft transport strategy calls for bus-only lanes in Queen and Lonsdale streets, priority for trams and huge spending on cyclists.
But the council's spending on its own cars includes:
$1.4 MILLION for capital costs in 2004-05 for its fleet, including two executive vehicles for new staff.
$828,000 for operating costs in 2004-05, including repairs, accidents, CityLink tolls and registration and $259,000 for fuel.
MORE than $100,000 a year to run Lord Mayor John So's chauffeur-driven Holden Caprice, with personalised plates LM000, including the driver's wages.
$16,440 a year for Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer's Holden Statesman, which he also uses for trips to Morwell, where he has a second home and works at a law firm.
THE other seven councillors claimed $13,280 for "local travel" expenses in the 13 months to December, which covers taxis, parking fees and CityLink tolls.
THE fleet of more than 100 vehicles clocked up 1.9 million kilometres in 12 months, despite the municipality covering only 36.3sq km.
One of the council's staunchest critics, Anthony van der Craats, said the anti-car crackdown reeked of hypocrisy.
"They should practise what they preach," he said.
"It's a bit like a chain-smoker telling others to give up smoking. The Lord Mayor does not need a limo, he can catch a taxi or take public transport.
"It is hypocritical for the council to on one hand advocate citizens give up their cars while at the same time they zealously hold on to their free car park and the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor continue to drive council-funded six-cylinder petrol guzzlers."
Mr van der Craats, who operates a website holding the council to account, called on both to give up their cars.
"If they are sincere about a car-free future then prove it and give up the limos," he said.
"Stop paying for staff cars as part of their remuneration package and withdraw free car parking.
"Buy them a public transport travel pass. At least they will begin to realise that Melbourne needs more than a $750,000 tourist bus."
Do as I say, not as I drive
Jen Kelly, city editor
07apr06
MELBOURNE City Council has been accused of hypocrisy over its war on cars amid revelations it forks out millions on its own fleet.
The council's anti-car tactics, including parking fee hikes and a proposed 40km/h CBD limit, are being called into question in light of its addiction to motoring.
Its draft transport strategy calls for bus-only lanes in Queen and Lonsdale streets, priority for trams and huge spending on cyclists.
But the council's spending on its own cars includes:
$1.4 MILLION for capital costs in 2004-05 for its fleet, including two executive vehicles for new staff.
$828,000 for operating costs in 2004-05, including repairs, accidents, CityLink tolls and registration and $259,000 for fuel.
MORE than $100,000 a year to run Lord Mayor John So's chauffeur-driven Holden Caprice, with personalised plates LM000, including the driver's wages.
$16,440 a year for Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer's Holden Statesman, which he also uses for trips to Morwell, where he has a second home and works at a law firm.
THE other seven councillors claimed $13,280 for "local travel" expenses in the 13 months to December, which covers taxis, parking fees and CityLink tolls.
THE fleet of more than 100 vehicles clocked up 1.9 million kilometres in 12 months, despite the municipality covering only 36.3sq km.
One of the council's staunchest critics, Anthony van der Craats, said the anti-car crackdown reeked of hypocrisy.
"They should practise what they preach," he said.
"It's a bit like a chain-smoker telling others to give up smoking. The Lord Mayor does not need a limo, he can catch a taxi or take public transport.
"It is hypocritical for the council to on one hand advocate citizens give up their cars while at the same time they zealously hold on to their free car park and the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor continue to drive council-funded six-cylinder petrol guzzlers."
Mr van der Craats, who operates a website holding the council to account, called on both to give up their cars.
"If they are sincere about a car-free future then prove it and give up the limos," he said.
"Stop paying for staff cars as part of their remuneration package and withdraw free car parking.
"Buy them a public transport travel pass. At least they will begin to realise that Melbourne needs more than a $750,000 tourist bus."
1 comment:
2 FACED: Limousine Leftoid Bureaucrats Want to Ban Cars While Driving Gas Guzzlers
The Limousine Left love imposing their policies on others while living in whatever way they wanted. Melbourne City Council watchdog Anthony van der Craats and the HeraldSun are pointing out the hypocrisy of limo leftiste car-banning, tax-slugging bureaucrats who say they want the proles to all travel by public transport.
They retain big gas guzzling executive cars for their own use. Even Melbourne's popular Lord Mayor John So has retained his Lord Mayoral limo despite promising in 2001 to "abolish it." Dozens of Council bureaucrats drive some of the biggest and most gas guzzling cars on the market. They can keep their cars - they're not a wildly unusual perk - but can they stop lecturing and preaching to every other driver.
Physicians heal thyself, first.
Game on.
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