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FRIDAY, March 25, 2022 2
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BIGGER PAY DAY Allowance rise for state’s mayors, y , deputies, p , councillors to help p attract high g calibre candidates
A TRIBUNAL ruling that has effectively triggered higher wages for all Victorian councillors is expected to attract a higher calibre of candidate in years to come. Leading the way in the pay rise stakes are deputy
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
mayors whose allowances have almost doubled, with Wangaratta‘s Category
2 wage range lifting Cr Harry Bussell‘s pay from $26,245 to $48,235 per annum (backdated to December 18, 2021). Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees now receives $96,470 per annum, up from $81,204, while councillors
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without the higher duty are now paid $30,024, up from $26,245. Cr Rees said the review of councillor allowances is likely to draw out more of the right people to run for council who are prepared to work after hours.
“If the pay rates aren’t good enough, many people would say as a second job, ‘I don‘t really need it considering the small amount of money’,” Cr Rees said. “I believe it will open the door to a lot more skilled people and var-
ied people with different opinions. “Rather than just getting retired people who can spend a bit of time doing it, we need business people who can really develop things in a positive way.” ■ Continued page 2
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