Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH Liberal MP Eleni Evangel has slammed Vincent council for “political propaganda” after it recommended seniors complain to the Barnett government about changes to rates concessions.

For years the state government has paid half of pensioners’ rates, but this year has capped its contribution to $750, leaving anyone with rates over $1500 out of pocket.

When Vincent sent out its rates notices recently it sent pensioners a separate letter alerting them to the change, but went a step further by telling them where to complain.

“If you wish to lodge a complaint regarding the capping of the pensioner rebate you will need to contact your local member of parliament”.

The letter then names Ms Evangel along with her office address, contact number and email.

The issue is further tangled by Vincent mayor John Carey being Labor’s candidate against Ms Evangel in the Perth electorate, but Vincent CEO Len Kosova says it was an operational issue and neither he nor the mayor had any input in the letter.

Ms Evangel says she was alerted to the issue by elderly constituents “disappointed to see their rates being used in this manner, especially as they weren’t even affected in any way”.

Ms Evangel discovered 2286 letters were sent out costing $1.13 each, a total of about $2,583.

Mr Kosova says the Office of State Revenue suggested the council tell pensioners where to complain; it certainly wasn’t keen on hearing their gripes: “Please do not direct your ratepayer to contact the OSR or department of finance,” it told the council.

Mr Kosova says the notice was sent out “with the sole intent of giving pensioner ratepayers advance notice of the capping of the rebate”.

Only 586 properties will actually affected by the cap, leaving Ms Evangel wondering why so many letters were mailed out.

“The fact this negative piece of mail was not only sent to the affected households (586) but also those who are not affected (1700) demonstrates poor judgment, and a use of ratepayer funds on their political propaganda,” Ms Evangel says.

“You would think that with Vincent being in a financial situation that is requiring the urgent sale of local community assets, our money would be used better and more wisely. As a ratepayer, I am not keen on funding my opponent’s campaign.”

In March Ms Evangel called for Mr Carey to resign as mayor once he’d been preselected by Labor to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Mr Carey said at the time he intended to stay on until the election.

by DAVID BELL