Upgrade bid still up in air
HOBART City Council is proceeding with caution over new rules around travel and expenses, avoiding a vote on whether they should again be allowed to travel business class.
In September last year, the previous council voted 6-5 to adopt revised policy provisions that included a change allowing elected members to only fly economy class. However, council’s finance and governance committee was last week presented with a report that said members should be able to choose to travel business class.
The report also said the maximum budget for international city relationship delegations for individual elected members should be increased from $6000 during their fouryear term to $10,000 over two years. However, the committee recommended council defer any decision on travel budgets to seek advice from the Risk and Audit Panel on an appropriate budget allocation for international travel.
A report is also being sought on the future of international city arrangements.
Alderman Marti Zucco last night said referring the decision on the travel budget to an independent panel was “a great way to go”. “That takes it right away from elected members,” Ald Zucco said.
Alderman Damon Thomas argued that aldermen should have the option of travelling business class on longer overseas trips.
“I am a big bloke,’’ Ald
Thomas said.
“If I go economy class and someone moves their seat back. I’m stuck for 12 hours.
“We should have the choice whether we go business class.”
General manager Nick Heath said the council had made no decision regarding the class of travel allowable under the Elected Member Development and Support Policy.
“What was resolved tonight was to refer all financial limits contained in the policy to the independent Risk and Audit Panel for review and advice,” Mr Heath said.
“This review will apply to such expenses as professional development, international relationships [sister and friendship cities], travel and communications expenses.”
The regime governing expenses for Hobart aldermen has been significantly tightened in recent years, following an audit of the former controversial “self-certification” policy.