COMPULSORY superannuation payments could be paid to elected councillors in addition to their annual fee.
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Tamworth Regional Council will support an Office of Local Government proposal to sweeten the deal with a 9.5 per cent super rate on top of the mayor's $64,530 fee a year and $20,280 for councillors.
It was a close vote with some councillors concerned the move would blur the line between an elected official and a council employee.
Calling councillors employees has always been a vexed issue for Cr Glenn Inglis.
"Employee status can potentially bring a range of other issues as well like fringe benefits tax, pay-as-you-go taxation and a whole range of other things, so for me I've felt it important to never mix those two things.
"The arguments that are often put up are that it will encourage more women and young people - that's an argument I don't accept.
"The idea that a 9.5 per cent superannuation payment to a young person is going to change their mind about standing for civic office, I'm afraid that doesn't get me over the line."
As part of the Commonwealth Superannuation Guarantee Act, councils are not required to make super contributions on top of fees paid to mayors and councillors.
This is because mayors and councillors are elected to civic office and are not employees of the council, unlike state and federal government politicians who take on the role as a full-time job.
The move started with concerns from some mayors and councillors that the lack of super payments is inequitable and deters women and young people from standing in elections.
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Options discussed by the Office of Local Government include maintaining the status quo, making it compulsory for councils to pay a portion of the fees into a superannuation fund, or amend the Local Government Act to have super paid on top of the regular fee.
Whatever option is chosen will apply to all councils in the state, but councillor Helen Tickle said she felt people should not need further incentives to stand for office.
"I think it's a sad day when you have to try to entice people into local government to serve in the office of a councillor, which is an honour to do for your community," she said.
The submissions closed on Friday.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
