TAILORED suits, silk ties, Italian shoes and celebrity haircuts are fine on the public dime, just don’t spend ratepayers’ money writing to ratepayers.
Perth city councillor Reece Harley found himself in hot water this week after using council resources to send out 3400 letters to ratepayers, including updates on council goings-on and an invitation to contact him if anyone had issues or ideas to share.
There’s no set limit on the use of council copy machines and mailouts (and councillors typically use them to send out Christmas cards or Chinese new year greetings) but PCC CEO Gary Stevenson reckons Cr Harley overstepped the mark and wants him to cough up $3300 (that’s pretty steep—we know a printer who can do 5000 A4 brochures for $700).
Cr Harley—the only Perth councillor who doesn’t claim a cent for clothing—says communicating with ratepayers is a better use of cash than buying suits and it should be covered as a claimed expense. He wants a policy put in place to formally allow it.
“It’s a fundamental role and responsibility of councillors to communicate with residents and electors of the city,” he told the Voice.
“Politicians are often criticised for being detached from their constituents and not responsive to their concerns.
“I am actively trying to smash that stereotype by reaching out to ratepayers and residents so that they can raise their ideas and issues with me directly.”
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 
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