Councils should not waste ratepayers' funds on blatant political advertising

12 June 2013

Peter Katsambanis, Member for North Metropolitan Region, has called on local governments across Perth to not waste ratepayers’ funds on blatant political advertising during the forthcoming local government referendum.

“I am most concerned to read that the Australian Local Government Association has amassed a war chest of up to $10 million to fund their referendum campaign.

“It would be appalling to think that any of this money would be taken from ratepayers and residents in Perth’s northern suburbs.

“Local governments should use ratepayers’ funds to provide core services to the local community. They shouldn’t throw away precious funds on self-indulgent political campaigns that are not supported by the majority of local residents.

In Parliament last night, Mr Katsambanis said that he had written to every mayor and shire president across the North Metropolitan region asking them if they have contributed or intend to contribute any ratepayers’ money to the referendum campaign, and if so, to which organisation they have paid this money.

“Local ratepayers have the right to know this information. They also deserve transparency from their local government especially at a time when many councils are increasing rates, taxes and charges by more than the rate of inflation.

“Some councils in my region have already flagged rate rises significantly above CPI in the coming year. To divert ratepayers’ money to a political campaigning slush fund in these circumstances would be inappropriate.

“The concept of local government recognition in the Constitution has been strongly rejected by the Australian public twice in the recent past.

“It would be a slap in the face for local residents to again see their council rates used to fund such partisan political campaigns as they watch their rates go up and up without any increase in the level of local service delivery.

“I hope good sense prevails and local governments across the region continue to use ratepayers’ funds for the benefit of our local community.” Mr Katsambanis added.