Charity may begin at home but that doesn’t extend the members of NSW Parliament House, Bayside Council has decided.
A proposal to waive fees for MPs stalls at community events was rejected by this week’s council meeting.
The council was about to adopt its amendments to its schedule of fees and charges for 2018-19 when Cr Liz Barlow called attention to page 701 of the council agenda, which sets out stall site fees which vary from $30 to $400, based on the type of stall.
The council wanted to introduce a new waiver condition allowing the general manager to waive stall fees for charitable and not-for-profit organisations and for Members of Parliament providing information outside of election periods.
“I’m just asking we delete the reference to MPs because I don’t believe they are charities,” Cr Barlow said. “I believe we should do it for charities. I don’t believe we should do it for MPs. Other MPs pay for stalls.”
Bu Cr Ed McDougall opposed the deletion of the reference to MPs from the schedule of fees.
“I do believe it’s a good thing that MPs are out seeing their communities,” he said. “We do have to work with other levels of government.”
He was supported by mayor Bill Saravinovski.
“I think it is very important to have a good working relationship with all our MPs,” he said.
But Cr Barlow disagreed.
“You are asking residents to subsidise an MP who is paid. All of us (the other councillors) go out and do things and we are not paid extra. I believe Sutherland Council charges (MPs). Georges River Council for its Chinese New Year says MPS are not allowed to be in the area.
“To be ripping off the residents of Bayside is disgraceful. If they, the MPs take it up it’s a disgrace. It is part of their job.
“I cannot believe an MP would try and get a freebie. You are ripping off the residents of Bayside and that is a disgrace for anyone who supports this.”
A division was called and councillors voted 7:6 in favour of Cr Barlow’s amendment, meaning MPs will not be able to have their stall fees waived..
