A NEW panel has been set up to review the pay packets of councillors and mayors.
Minister for Local Government Richard Wynne announced the independent review panel at last week’s Municipal Association of Victoria state conference.
The four-member panel will look into how councillor pay rates are set, and will advise the Government on the frequency of future reviews, suggest guidelines for pay and other ways to help councillors perform their duties.
A former state MP for the seat of Footscray, Bruce Mildenhall, will sit on the panel, which is due to report to the Government by December 2007.
“We want to ensure the appropriate support for and remuneration is provided to councillors to ensue the best people are attracted and remain in councils and to promote good governance,” Mr Wynne said.
Council sets the allowance councillors are paid, based on the municipality’s population and revenue.
During 2005/2006 financial year, councillors serving on Brimbank City Council were paid an annual salary of $18,000, and the mayor was paid $57,500.
