Victorian Minister for Local Government, Natalie Hutchins, has cautioned local councils against using the Andrews Labor Government’s fair go rate cap as an excuse to cut vital staff and services, while they continue to waste money on excessive executive pay and councillor spending.
“Our rate cap is still more than a year away – blaming any cuts to essential services on capping is unfair and dishonest to local communities.” Ms Hutchins commented.
Ms Hutchins said rate capping would not come into effect until 2016-17 and that any council attempting to blame rate capping on staff or service cuts was failing to be honest with its local community.
“This is not about cutting staff and services. It’s about encouraging councils to get back to the things that matter to their communities.” Ms Hutchins commented “Councils need to put a stop to over-the-top executive pay rises and needless waste.”
Ms Hutchins explained that rather than trying to blame their own budgeting decisions on the cap, councils should instead consider community need and engage with the Labor Government’s consultation process. Hutchins added that the consultation, being managed by the Essential Services Commission, will consult widely with the local government sector, stakeholders and the community. The ESC is also developing a framework for the policy to ensure councils can provide important services and programs, while cutting waste.