Pay cut baffles council

IPSWICH City councillors say they are baffled by a decision that has cut their pay by about $5000 for next year.

The Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal last week announced the remuneration levels for councillors from January 1.

Before this year, Ipswich councillors' pay was determined as a range of wages based on a percentage of a State MP's salary.

Tribunal chairman Adrian Bloomfield abolished the ranges and set one level for mayor, deputy mayor and councillors.

With Ipswich traditionally using the top of the range, this has led to a reduction in councillors' pay.

That means a pay cut for Mayor Paul Pisasale from $173,940-$171, 436, deputy mayor Victor Attwood from $120,420-$116,577 and other councillors from $107,040 down to $102,862.

Other councils, including Redlands Shire, were granted a pay increase.

"We've got a $5000 decrease," rural Ipswich councillor David Pahlke fumed.

"I work 70 hours a week; I know I work for it but no matter what, people will say councillors are overpaid.

"But state and federal pollies are putting their noses in the trough and we're getting a pay cut."

Queensland's longest-serving councillor, Paul Tully, said he couldn't understand why Ipswich was being singled out.

"It's an extraordinary situation that Ipswich has been selected as one of very few councils to have a pay reduction," Cr Tully said.

"It seems a bizarre decision. State and federal politicians are getting pay rises and at the same time we've had the floods to deal with and greater responsibility with major growth in the city."

Mayor Paul Pisasale was also confused as to why the tribunal seemingly treated Ipswich differently to other councils.

"But we've still got a lot of work to do to get flood-affected people back on their feet and we're not going to let this dampen our spirits," he said.

"I never went into politics for the money. But I find it amazing when you compare anyone in this country who is working hard and your boss comes along and says they're going to cut your pay.

"I'm there for the community but I can't understand why a tribunal would make such a decision where people's pay is dropped when you look at a state and federal level where their pay is increasing and this has been a tough year for Ipswich."

Inner-city councillor Andrew Antoniolli also questioned the timing of the tribunal's decision.

Last week, Federal MPs fended off criticism after it was revealed they were getting a pay hike.

"We certainly didn't ask for a pay rise or anything like the other levels of government seem to be chasing. But it's probably been the most trying and busiest year for this council," he said.

" I'm sure other councils are in the same boat after the flood. "

David Pahlke

I know I work for it but no matter what, people will say councillors are overpaid.