LIKE most local media outlets, the Bendigo Weekly received a copy of the confidential city councillors’ expense report “off the back of a truck” this week.
The report was complete with yellow highlighter to make sure we didn’t miss the point that it was Cr Gibbins who had chalked up the highest expenses – $20,156.
We suspect party political involvement in the ‘leak’, as Cr Gibbins is a candidate for next month’s state elections and it is often thought that expenses paid to any elected person are something of a rort.
Nothing of the kind. If anything, the document highlights how much travel on council business the two councillors who represent rural wards do in order to cover huge swathes of a muncipality which in area is five times bigger than the nation of Singapore.
Cr Williams, who is the other ‘rural’ councillor, was second with expenses of $13,953. In stark contrast was Cr Gregson who sought reimbursement for just $557. Cr Gregson represents the inner city Sandhurst Ward.
Bendigo desperately needs councillors who are active and move around the whole municipality. They should also be encouraged to see the world at large.
