Councillor Expenses

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Councillors are entitled to two types of payments. The first is an allowance, or yearly remuneration and the second is reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred as a Councillor.

Councillor Allowances

The allowance paid to Councillors is set by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal and Improving Parliamentary Standards Act 2019. Each year the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal sets the value of allowances payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is a Category 3 Council.

On 1 July 2024, the Tribunal made the Allowance payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors (Victoria) Annual Adjustment Determination 2024.

The following allowances apply:

Councillor Expenses and Reimbursements

In order to clarify what expenses are bona fide, Council has adopted its Councillor Expenses, Reimbursement, Resources and Facilities Policy (see link below). This policy outlines the types of expenses Councillors will be reimbursed for, the process of reimbursement and for the publication of expenses. This policy went out for public consultation prior to being adopted by Council.

Council chooses to itemise its Councillors expenses in accordance with the following categories:  Councillor Allowance, Councillor Superannuation, Councillor Information and Communications, Councillor Private Car Mileage, Councillor Conferences and Training (which includes related travel), Councillor Conferences and Training – Accommodation, Councillor Conferences and Training- Hospitality, Councillor Parking and Travel, Councillor Expenses – Other, Printing and Stationery and Councillor Childcare/Carer Services.    

Councillor-Expenses-Reimbursements-Resources-and-Facilities-Policy.pdf

A summary of Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor expenses will be provided and updated monthly as a running total for this current term of Council.   

Events, Training, Conferences and Seminars

Councillors are required to complete a form when requesting to attend Events, Training, Conferences and Seminars  (where a cost is involved) for registration and attendance, which includes the requirement to outline the benefit to the community.
In addition, Council reports on expenses and reimbursements to its Audit and Risk Committee, as part of its Annual Report and its Quarterly Community Report. 

Gifts and Benefits

Section 138 of the Local Government Act 2020 provides that a Council must adopt a Councillor Gifts Policy that must include the maintenance of a Gift Register and any other matters prescribed by the Regulations. In accordance with the legislation, Council has adopted the Councillor Gifts Policy (see link below). The Policy provides for the appropriate acceptance, rejection and declaration of Gifts. All Gifts offered with a value greater than $50 must be declared in Council's Gift Register (see link below).

Councillor-Gifts-Policy.pdf