TRADING INSULTS OVER EXPENSES

TENSION between two Clarence aldermen has escalated to them trading insults and name calling over each other’s expenses.

Alderman Brendan Blomeley says some council colleagues refer to Tony Mulder as “Taxi” while Alderman Mulder says Mr Blomeley is known as “Sir Lunch-a-lot”.

Each stridently defend the titles hurled against them and refute suggestions of impropriety.

The spat began after each man asked for details of the other’s travel expenses following a furore when it was revealed Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman and general manager Ian Nelson attended a Liberal Party fundraiser at the expense of ratepayers.

Mr Chipman has since repaid the $45 and Mr Blomeley said he paid to attend the fundraiser out of his own pocket.

Mr Blomeley has questioned why Mr Mulder takes a taxi home several hours after council meetings end and charges it to ratepayers.

Mr Mulder wants to know why Mr Blomeley’s expenses claims are much higher than all other aldermen.

Mr Blomeley (right) said what elected members were able to claim was clearly defined in both the Local Government Act and council’s own policy.

“I stand by every claim made by me and make absolutely no excuse for working tirelessly in the best interests of the residents and ratepayers of Clarence,” Mr Blomeley said. “Every claim made by me easily passes the pub test and anyone suggesting otherwise is either embarrassed by their level of activity or plainly disingenuous.

“The question for Clarence ratepayers must surely be, what is Tony Mulder up to following a Monday evening meeting that requires him to abandon his car and take a taxi home early Tuesday morning, at ratepayers’ expense?”

Mr Blomeley said none of his claims referred to lunch so he was confused by the “Sir-Lunch-a-lot” title.

Mr Mulder defended his taxi fares home after meetings.

“My taxi fares are a legitimate expense for returning home from meetings that drag into the night,” he said.

“Taxis and private cars are regularly shared with colleagues at a substantial saving to ratepayers.”

In 2019-20, Mr Blomeley’s expenses were $10,121 and Mr Mulder’s $3994. Mr Mulder said he was at a loss to know why Mr Blomeley’s expenses were the most of any Clarence alderman.

“What is he doing differently to the rest of us?” Mr Mulder said.

“I refuse to be lectured by Clarence’s multiple gold medal-winner expense claimer.”

Alderman Luke Edmunds, who sometimes shares a taxi home with Mr Mulder, said the declared expenses “speak for themselves”.

“Fancy thinking sharing a lift was controversial,” Mr Edmunds said.

“I’m a bit confused by Brendan taking aim at people for carpooling or splitting the occasional taxi.”