The Mornington Peninsula Shire has once again landed itself in the spotlight — this time over a proposed change that would allow councillors to bypass public scrutiny on big-ticket spending.
Council papers show a plan to “streamline approval processes” by scrapping the requirement for a full Council resolution on expenses over $2,000 and interstate travel. Instead, the Chief Executive Officer alone would sign off.
It’s being pitched as a move to “improve efficiency while maintaining accountability.” Critics say it does the opposite.
Former councillor Antonella Celi slammed the change as a “governance oversight.
“The update to not seek a Council resolution for expenses over $2,000 for interstate travel could mean up to any amount within the Councillor allowance approved from $2,000K upwards by the strike of a CEO’s pen,” Ms Celi said.
“Not transparent, not accountable and could possibly marginalise Cr attendance without accountability to an approval by Council resolution.“
Currently, councillors must justify such expenses in open debate and on the record. If the change passes, that layer of transparency disappears.
The Shire has had a knack for making headlines of late — with Mayor Anthony Marsh recently attempting to deflect attention onto neighbouring Frankston Council, only for the move to backfire and draw more heat to his own backyard.
The proposal will be tabled at the 2 September Council meeting.
